It hasn’t been pretty, but the Utes (10-5) have made winning look easy early into the Mountain West schedule this season.
The bleachers at Ute Field were packed for the second-to-last home game of 2005 on Thursday night as the U won its third straight MWC contest, rolling to a 2-0 win over Wyoming (5-5-3).
Adele Letro scored her seventh goal of the season and Chelsea Card tallied her first score since returning from an injury, and the Utes led 2-0 before the end of the first half.
“We had a really good first half,” U head coach Rich Manning said. “It was sure nice to score first.”
Letro’s goal set the tone in the 18th minute. The freshman received a pinpoint cross from junior Amanda Feigt on the right side of the field and shot it into the lower left corner, beating Cowgirl keeper Ashley Sheppard.
“Amanda had a great assist,” Letro deferred, adding, “We talked about it before the game-her finding me on a cross from the corner. She made an awesome pass and it worked.”
“Feigt was terrific,” Manning said. “Our speed of play was better tonight and we were able to finish our scoring chances.”
Card was the recipient of a fortuitous deflection in the box after freshman midfielder Katie Reineke sent a blast towards the left corner of goal from 15 yards out and the sophomore forward pounced on the loose ball for the goal.
“I just remember that they weren’t clearing the ball well from what I’d seen watching the game, so I just waited for the rebound and it came,” Card said.
“I’ve known Chelsea since she was 11,” Manning said. “She’s always been a goal scorer who finds herself in the right spot at the right time.”
The Ute bench erupted for Card’s goal, which comes after battling through knee surgery and seeing limited playing time in the first half of the season.
“She’s worked so hard,” Letro said. “It was awesome for her to get that goal, she needed that.”
While the offense sputtered out in the second period, a solid defensive effort never relented, denying Wyoming’s speedy forwards any chances and securing the sixth clean sheet for keeper Ashley Mason of the season.
“We learned from last week’s (blown 2-0 lead) against New Mexico that we need to keep working with a two goal advantage,” Manning explained.
Michelle Deatherage, Melissa Wayman and Melissa Crespo each had a standout day, and the Ute back line stymied forward Mercy Adetoye and the Cowgirl offense all night.
The Utes outshot the Cowgirls 17-13 and forced seven corners while Wyoming managed to garner just one.
After regaining their composure from a brief slump, the Utes will try to keep their momentum going while they attempt to win a tournament bid with the conference title.
“We’re taking everything we’ve learned and applying it now,” Letro said. “And we’re still learning.”
Air Force comes to town this weekend for the final home game of the season at Ute Field at 1 p.m.
It will also be the final home game for second team All-Mountain West senior forward Kim Lloyd. Next week, the Utes face MWC foes SDSU and UNLV on the road.