2015 U.S. Open Cup: BYU soccer ousted by Harpo's FC in first-round shootout

After qualifying for the U.S. Open Cup for the first time in seven years, BYU soccer fell to Harpo's FC in a shootout, 0-0 (4-2), in a first-round match Wednesday at South Field in Provo.

The two sides played to a 0-0 draw in regulation and remained that way after 30 minutes of extra time.

Each team knocked in its first penalty try, with Harpo's Justin Geibel and BYU's Dallin Cutler knocking the ball into the net. The shootout turned on the second round. After Daniel Schene punched in the visitors' second take, Harpo's keeper Zac Gibbens made a fantastic stop on BYU's try from Pedro Vasconcelo, diving to his left and punching the ball clear of the post.

BYU could not make up the ground, and after falling down 3-2 in the penalty kicks, the Cougars were finished when Harpo's Sawyer Frank converted his team's fourth attempt.

The loss moves BYU to 0-3 all time in the Open Cup.

The Cougars missed several golden opportunities in extra time. Jacob Ence flipped a beautiful entry pass less than a foot over the crossbar in the 104th minute and Jake Miles missed a shot just wide in the 115th minute. BYU returned just three starters from the 2014 side that qualified BYU for the tournament.

The Open Cup is the oldest soccer tournament in the United States and features teams from all levels of American soccer -- MLS, minor league and semi-pro teams, and amateur squads. Harpo's FC is an amateur side from the USSSA level of soccer. BYU, which does not have an NCAA-sponsored soccer team, competes in the semi-pro Premier Development League (PDL) instead of a college club association.

BYU returns to PDL play on May 21 with a road game against the Albuquerque Sol. The Cougars are 0-1 on the young season with a loss to Real Colorado and also plays at FC Tucson on May 23.

BYU's first PDL home game comes on June 5 against Real Colorado.