For the second straight year, Boise State women’s soccer team’s season ended on the same field, against the same opponent. Under the lights of the Boas Soccer Complex, the Broncos fell 4–2 in penalty kicks to Utah State in the Mountain West Championship on Saturday Nov. 8, closing a record-setting season with heartbreak.
After rallying from a two-goal deficit to tie the match 2–2 late in regulation, Boise State couldn’t overcome the Aggies’ flawless shootout execution.
Utah State converted all four of its penalty attempts, while Boise State’s final two were stopped by senior goalkeeper Taylor Rath, who entered the match solely for the shootout and went on to be named tournament MVP.
“It’s a little dead, to be honest with you,” Boise State head coach Jim Thomas said of the team’s energy after the game. “Right now, I’m just sad for the girls that won’t be able to do it again. They’ve been such great servants of this program and really represented Boise State in a way that I’ll reference for everyone else that comes through the door.”
Both teams battled through a scoreless first half, trading opportunities before Utah State finally broke through in the 49th minute. Aggie forward Summer Diamond found space inside the box and tucked a low shot past freshman keeper Ava de Leest.
A penalty kick in the 64th minute by Rine Yonaha doubled the lead, silencing the home crowd as Boise State suddenly faced its largest shortcoming in over a month.
The Broncos remained unfazed, fighting back through the second half to get on the scoreboard. In the 75th minute, Thomas challenged an uncalled handball inside the Utah State box. The officials reviewed the play and awarded a penalty kick, which freshman Olivia Collins stepped up and knocked through for a goal, positioning the Broncos within one score.
Momentum shifted only five minutes later, when fifth-year senior Kayla Soderstrom found the ball at the top of the box with no defenders nearby. She struck it cleanly into the net to tie the match 2-2, sending the home crowd of 1,896 fans into celebration.
“We were playing really well the whole first half and even when we were down,” Soderstrom said. “We knew we had it in us to get back and score more. We did so awesome, and I’m really blessed to be a part of it.”
Neither team could find a winner through the two overtime periods. Boise State controlled possession for most of the extra time and created several near-scores, including a point-blank from Jillian Anderson and a header from Asia Lawyer that was saved by the Aggies goalkeeper, Allee Grashoff.
The championship would be decided by penalty kicks. Utah State converted each of its first four attempts and Boise State scored on its first two, but missed the next two as Rath turned away both shots to secure the title for the Aggies.
“It is unfortunate we had to dig ourselves out of a hole,” Thomas said. “Frankly, I thought we were the better team as we went through overtime. We were unlucky enough to take the penalty kicks, but I was really hopeful that we could pull it out in overtime.”
It was the third consecutive year Utah State ended the Broncos’ season and the Aggies’ third straight Mountain West championship.
The Broncos finished the season 10–3–8, tying a program record for fewest losses and extending their unbeaten streak to 13 matches before Saturday’s defeat. Boise State also became the first team since 2012 to complete a regular season undefeated in conference play.
“This group stayed together,” Thomas said. “There wasn’t a blip on the radar all year. They never buckled under the pressure and stayed resolute throughout it. That’s a really good testament to their character.”
While the season didn’t end with the championship they hoped for, Boise State’s 2025 campaign will be remembered for its resilience, leadership and composure in the biggest moments.
