Katoa's late winner rallies No. 6 BYU women's soccer to 4-3 win over North Carolina
BYU midfielder Olivia Wade-Katoa celeberates her game-winning goal in a 4-3 win over North Carolina, Friday, Nov. 24, 2023 at South Field i Provo. (BYU Photo)
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PROVO — After falling to North Carolina 3-2 in last year's Round of 16 and trailing by as much as 3-0 at halftime, No. 6 BYU women's soccer flipped the script on the winningest program in collegiate women's soccer.
Olivia Wade-Katoa scored the game-winning goal off an assist from Brecken Mozingo, and the Cougars scored four unanswered goals to rally past No. 3 North Carolina 4-3 in front of a sold-out crowd Friday night at a wintry South Field.
Bella Folino scored twice for BYU (20-2-3) and Mozingo added a goal in addition to her match-winning assist.
Down but not out early, when the Cougars needed a moment of magic, it was UCLA transfer Ellie Walbruch that delivered.
After trailing from the second minute — and 3-0 after a half hour — Folino pulled one back in the 60th minute, recovering Wade-Katoa's blocked shot to cut the deficit within 3-1.
Mozingo scored off a corner kick in the 81st minute, but the Cougars weren't done yet.
Walbruch took advantage of a turnover and sprinted to the end line, where she crossed a ball into the box in the 82nd minute. After taking a touch off the UNC defense, Folino poked home the rebound at the back post to equalize and send the standing room-only crowd to its feet.
Macey Bell added a goal for UNC (13-2-8).
With the win, BYU advanced to the NCAA College Cup semifinals Dec. 1 in Cary, North Carolina. The Cougars will be joined by No. 1 overall seed Florida State, No. 2 Stanford, and the winner of Saturday's match between No. 2 Penn State and No. 1 Clemson.
This story will be updated.
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Sean Walker
KSL.com BYU and college sports reporter
