BYU women’s soccer finishes magical Big 12 Tournament run with championship | News, Sports, Jobs

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BYU women’s soccer coach Jennifer Rockwood (left) and junior forward Ellie Walbruch hold the Big 12 Tournament Championship trophy after beating Kansas 1-0 in Waco, Texas, on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025.

Courtesy BYU Photo

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The BYU women’s soccer team celebrates a 1-0 victory against Kansas in the Big 12 Tournament Championship match in Waco, Texas, on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025.

Courtesy BYU Photo

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BYU women’s soccer coach Jennifer Rockwood (left) and junior forward Ellie Walbruch hold the Big 12 Tournament Championship trophy after beating Kansas 1-0 in Waco, Texas, on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025.

The BYU women’s soccer team celebrates a 1-0 victory against Kansas in the Big 12 Tournament Championship match in Waco, Texas, on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025.

WACO, Texas — The BYU women’s soccer team became the first No. 8 seed to win the Big 12 Soccer Tournament Championship with its 1-0 victory over Kansas at Betty Lou Mays Soccer Field Saturday night.

Following the victory, Ellie Walbruch won the 2025 Big 12 Soccer Tournament Offensive Most Outstanding Offensive Player and goalkeeper Chelsea Peterson earned the 2025 Big 12 Soccer Tournament Most Outstanding Defensive Player.

Walbruch scored BYU’s lone goal in the match, becoming the first player to score five goals in the Big 12 Tournament since 1997. She scored in every single match of the Big 12 tournament. With her goal tonight, Walbruch moves to 16 total goals on the year.

Mia Goettsche recorded her second-straight game with an assist, with five total on the season. Lucy Kesler added her third assist of the year in the match as well.

In her first three starts at keeper for BYU this week, Peterson tallied 18 saves and only allowed two goals in three matches. She played every minute of every game throughout the tournament.

Peterson tallied a new season-high in saves with eight to secure her second shutout of the week and the victory for her team.

Walbruch provided the only goal BYU would need in the 21st minute of the match and it was banger. Kesler collected a ball on the right side of the pitch, sending it up to Goettsche with a one-touch pass. She connected in the center of the field with Walbruch, who launched a shot from 30 yards out that struck the crossbar and bounced down into the net, giving BYU a 1-0 lead.

The Cougar defense stepped up to make several crucial stops in the second half as the Jayhawks put the pressure on, outshooting BYU as they tried to earn the equalizer.

With just over 10 minutes to go in the match, Jayhawks forward Lexi Watts fired off a shot that ricocheted off BYU defender Emma Neff. Kansas had another shot in the box, punched out by the outstretched hand of Peterson.

As BYU struggled to hold onto the ball, Kansas continued to press hard on offense, testing BYU’s backline and Peterson with three corner kicks in the final 10 minutes of the match.

The Cougars held strong as Peterson punched away Kansas’ final ditch effort on goal, taking home the title of 2025 Big 12 Soccer Champions.

BYU now awaits its NCAA seeding which will be announced during the selection show on Monday, Nov. 10 at 2 p.m. MT. with live-streaming on NCAA.com.

Coming into the Big 12 Championship match, the Cougars had an RPI of 26, while Kansas sat at No. 5. BYU could host a first-round NCAA Tournament match based on its hot finish and high RPI.