LOS ANGELES - In the 2026 season opener, No. 9 UCLA jumped ahead to a 1-0 lead over BYU, but the Cougars rallied to tie four minutes later and scored the go-ahead goal in the second half to secure the 2-1 win.
Junior forward Kara Croone scored the first goal of the season in the 38th minute. After taking a one-touch pass from Grace Shank, Croone got ahead of the defenders and beat BYU goalkeeper Chelsea Peterson with a low shot to the left post for her fourth career goal. Senior transfer Ava Priest was also credited with an assist.
The sweet sound of GOALLLLLL, courtesy Kara Croone! Assists to Ava Priest and Grace Shank.
— UCLA Women's Soccer (@UCLAWSoccer) August 13, 2026
UCLA 1, BYU 0
💻: @bigtenplus#GoBruins pic.twitter.com/VmW4aEQUcv
The Cougars answered right back in the 42nd minute after a pass by the Bruins was intercepted just outside of the box by Mattyn Summers-Oviatt. The BYU senior quickly took a shot that got past a diving UCLA goalkeeper Mariangela Medina into the back of the net for the equalizer.
In the second half, the Bruins had a good chance to go up again after Nicki Fraser drew a foul just outside the box in the 57th minute. Shank's free kick to the top corner just missed high. Three minutes later, BYU also earned a free kick outside the box and took advantage of the set piece. A header by Ellie Walbruch went off the right post and bounced around before Brynlli Tolbert put it in for the go-ahead goal.
UCLA continued to push for the equalizer and earned a free kick outside of the box with three minutes to play. Cate Sarinopuolos' bending free kick, however, went just wide.
"BYU is a good team; they're a team that goes far in the tournament, and they usually win their conference. It's always a good match," said the Wolfen Family UCLA Women’s Head Soccer Coach Gof Boyoko. "Unfortunately, we scored first and then made an error where we let them come back in the game."
The Cougars outshot the Bruins, 14-10. Medina made five saves, while Peterson totaled two. Eight Bruin players made their UCLA debuts - freshmen Thea Perry and Anna Wilson and transfers Sarinopoulos, Priest, Olivia Woodson, Marli Galdamez, Asa Yamazaki and Abby Gemma.
The Bruins will face another tough opponent on Sunday, Sept. 16 in No. 3-ranked Duke.
"It's unfortunate that we start my first year as a head coach with a loss, but I will get ready here and then get ready for Sunday," Boyoko said.
Tickets for Sunday's 6pm game are on sale at uclabruins.com/tickets.