Arizona Battles No. 23 BYU to 1-1 Draw in Big 12 Opener

Friday, September 18

Tucson, Ariz.

7:00 PM MST

University of Arizona

3-4-2, 0-0-1

No. 23 BYU

4-2-2, 0-0-1

Team	1	2	Final F
BYU	0	1	1
Arizona	0	1	1

Box Score (PDF)

Arizona Battles No. 23 BYU to 1-1 Draw in Big 12 Opener

09/18/2026 | Soccer

Box Score Photo Gallery

TUCSON, Ariz. – Arizona Soccer battled No. 23 BYU to a 1-1 draw Friday night at Murphey Field at Mulcahy Stadium, using a late equalizer from Lainey Swanson to earn a point in its Big 12 opener.

The Wildcats (3-4-2, 0-0-1 Big 12) kept the Cougars off the board through the opening 45 minutes behind a strong defensive effort and three saves from Sofia Cortes-Browne.

Arizona generated its best opportunities of the opening half in the 26th minute. Jessica Bedolla put an attempt on frame before Lily Boydstun followed seconds later with another shot on goal, but both were denied as the teams entered halftime scoreless.

BYU broke the tie early in the second half, with Mia Goettsche finding the back of the net in the 51st minute to give the Cougars a 1-0 advantage.

Arizona continued to push for the equalizer and increased its pressure down the stretch. Leilani Cortez-Ramirez recorded an attempt in the 81st minute before the Wildcats earned a corner kick two minutes later. Whitney Reinhardt followed with a blocked shot as Arizona continued to search for the tying goal.

The breakthrough came in the 85th minute.

Shanti Weddington set up Swanson, who found the back of the net at 84:40 to pull Arizona even at 1-1. The goal marked Swanson's second of the season, while Weddington recorded her first assist of the year.

Arizona held the Cougars scoreless over the final five minutes to secure a point in its conference opener.

Cortes-Browne and Laurynn Ziller split time in goal for the Wildcats. Cortes-Browne made three saves while keeping BYU scoreless through the opening half before Ziller took over for the final 45 minutes and added one save.

BYU finished with an 18-6 advantage in shots and put five attempts on goal compared to three for Arizona. The Wildcats held 51 percent of possession and earned three corner kicks.

NOTABLES

Lainey Swanson scored her second goal of the season, netting the match-tying goal in the 85th minute.
Swanson's goal was her first since scoring in Arizona's 2-0 victory over New Mexico State.
Shanti Weddington recorded her first assist of the season on Swanson's equalizer.
Arizona earned a point in its 2026 Big 12 opener and moved to 3-4-2 overall and 0-0-1 in conference play.
Arizona moved to 2-2-1 all-time against BYU at home.
Sofia Cortes-Browne made three saves and held No. 23 BYU scoreless through the opening 45 minutes.
The Wildcats held 51 percent of possession against the Cougars.
Jessica Bedolla and Lily Boydstun each put a shot on goal in the opening half, while Swanson accounted for Arizona's third shot on frame with the equalizer.