Provo, Utah –
No. 13 Arkansas handed No. 11 BYU its first loss of the 2025 season on South Field Tuesday night.
In the 81st minute the Razorbacks scored the lone goal of the match off a corner.
Arkansas forward Kennedy Ball placed a fantastic ball in the penalty box and forward Kyndal Ewertz didn’t miss the header giving their team the 1-0 lead.
BYU (3-1-1) recorded 21 shots on the night, which forced Arkansas (2-2-1) goalkeeper Keegan Smith to make nine saves that tied her career-high dating back to Stanford last season on Nov. 24th.
“Really, I didn’t know that,” said Razorbacks keeper Keegan Smith. “I honestly think the atmosphere here is one of the best in the country. Coming into this game I was so excited just to get to play in front of all these people. The environment itself is one of the top for soccer in the country. The first half set the tone, especially with the first save on the breakaway. We got something going here.”
Smith indeed had something going making six second-half saves, earning her 14th shutout of her career and second in the 2025-26 season.
“Honestly just take deep breaths. It’s so simple,” said Smith. “If you overthink how to stay composed, then you’re going to freak yourself out even more. I just take a deep breath, ground myself and I’m good.”
BYU forwards Ellie Walbruch and Sophie Sivulich each recorded two shots on goal. The Cougars would tally nine in the contest, but would fail to find the equalizer.
“I was disappointed with our effort and with the way we played tonight,” said coach Jennifer Rockwood. “We’ve been consistent in strong starts this season, and tonight for whatever reason, we did not get off to a very good start. I thought we played very poorly in the first half, and we came out and played a lot better in the second half and had some good opportunities, and just didn’t put the ball in the back of the net.”
Rockwood was disappointed in her team’s efforts, making this the first shoutout loss since.
Cougars return to South Field on Saturday, Sept. 6th to host in-state rival Utah State. Kick-off is set for 6 pm M.T. The game will be streamed live on ESPN+.
