Kansas Falls 1-0 to BYU in Big 12 Tournament Championship

Saturday, November 8

Waco, Texas

7 p.m. CT

University of Kansas

14-5-3, 6-4-1

BYU

11-6-4, 4-5-2

BYU

Kansas

Kansas Falls 1-0 to BYU in Big 12 Tournament Championship

11/8/2025 11:00:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score Box Score (PDF)Season Stats Nate Lie Postgame Interview Photo Gallery

WACO, Texas – Kansas soccer made their second straight appearance in the Big 12 Tournament Championship match, but ultimately fell to the BYU Cougars 1-0 at Betty Lou Mays Soccer Field on Saturday night. Ellie Walbruch scored the lone goal of the match in the first half.

"I'm really proud of our players, we put forth a solid effort tonight," Kansas head coach Nate Lie said. "BYU is an excellent team. Congrats to them. We knew we didn't get their best shot when we played them a couple weeks ago out in Provo. They were missing one of their best players in that game. They came very focused today with a lot of intent. They went really hard into the tackle. Again, it looked like we might be able to weather the storm. They had a couple corners, nothing too dangerous, but we were letting too much of the play happen in territory that we don't want to. It's interesting that the goal that settled the game was just a special, special moment for a very special player."

Lie continued, "I have a lot of pride in how our athletes carry themselves. I thought they played with honor tonight. I think they played with heart. I think they played for each other. They never gave up. It's a great group, and that's partly why it hurts so much. It's partly why I also have a lot of confidence that we will create some more opportunities for ourselves. I have a huge debt of gratitude to this group of 28 for all they do for Kansas soccer."

BYU was able to generate three shots in the first 10 minutes and drew a couple corner kicks, but the Kansas defense prevented the Cougars from getting any shots on goal.

Kansas had an opportunity in the first half when Lexi Watts broke away dribbling down the left side of the field and she crossed the ball into the box, but it was corralled by the goalkeeper to negate the chance.

The Cougars were able to score on a deep strike in the 21st minute from Walbruch to break the scoreless match and to take a 1-0 lead. The score remained the same the rest of the half, with the Jayhawks trailing 1-0 going into half.

Walbruch had another opportunity to score again in the 47th minute, but her shot went just wide of the left post to keep the score at 1-0.

Kansas controlled possession and the pace of the second half. That started with the Jayhawks drawing three corner kicks within the matter of one minute, but they weren't able to turn it into a goal.

In the 80th minute, Watts dribbled into the box and took a strike that was deflected off a BYU defender and just wide of the post. A corner kick followed with Caroline Castans taking the corner and sending it towards Watts who headed the ball just left of the goal.

The Jayhawks had another opportunity to tie the match in the 84th minute, when Jillian Gregorski crossed the ball to the far post to a streaking Castans, but she could not get her foot on the ball for a potential equalizer.

KU had one final opportunity, and maybe its best of the night, in the 89th minute when Watts crossed the ball into the box to an open Kate Langfelder for a header on goal. A diving stop by BYU goalkeeper Chelsea Peterson preserved the lead and sealed the game.

Despite the loss, Kansas outshot BYU 17-10 and held a 9-4 advantage in corner kicks.

NOTES
• Kansas moved to 14-5-3 on the season and 8-2-1 in games away from Lawrence.
• Kansas outshot BYU 17-10, including 8-5 in shots on goal.
• Kansas held a 8-4 advantage in corner kicks.

UP NEXT
Kansas will await its fate to see if it's one of the 64 teams selected for the NCAA Tournament. The 2025 NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Selection Show will air on Monday, Nov. 10 at 3 p.m. CT on NCAA.com.