It was a catfight between the BYU Cougars and Arizona Wildcats.
Catfight is a word that can be used to describe Friday night’s matchup between BYU (5-5-3, 3-2-1 Big 12) and Arizon (8-3-2, 3-2-1) in which the Wildcats prevailed 2-1 at Mulcahy Stadium.
From the first minute to the last, BYU employed a high intensity press that kept any player with the ball under tremendous pressure.
Arizona would be the first team to get on the board, courtesy of freshman Narissa Fults’ first career collegiate goal in the 28th minute. BYU’s defenders were a bit out of position during a counterattack, but Fults still had to dribble past two defenders before slotting the ball home.
The Wildcats would double the lead immediately after halftime when junior Sami Baytosh got on the end of a Gianna Christiansen cross and directed a header past BYU’s keeper Lynette Hernaez. It was Baytosh’s second goal of the season.
Baytosh’s goal would prove to be a decisive one, as in the 71st minute, BYU’s relentless pressure would finally net them a goal. Arizona keeper Olivia Ramey got a fist on a cross, but was unable to fully punch the ball clear, and BYU forward Erin Bailey headed home the rebound.
It was testament to BYU’s fitness levels that they were able to maintain its pressure for the full 90 minutes. Arizona’s players never had time on the ball to safely dribble or pick out a pass. When BYU had possession, it threw most of their 11 forward in an all-out assault on Arizona’s goal, making for a very entertaining game.
“They are a high pressing, high intensity team, so we knew coming in that we would get that, but their press was always going to give them chances too,” Arizona coach Becca Moros said about BYU, “Liv (Ramey) was excellent in goal, and our defenders did a good job staying organized as we tried to build out, put that press is definitely a strength of theirs.”
BYU’s endless press made for a nervy final 20 minutes, but Arizona ultimately would see out the victory.
The win ties Arizona’s highest win total in the Becca Moros era with five games remaining, and moves the Wildcats into fifth place in the Big 12.
Arizona’s next game will be away at UCF on Thursday.
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