By Tom Quinn

The U women’s soccer team extended its winning streak to six games last night with a 2-0 win over Air Force in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Forwards Adele Letro and Jen Christoffers both tallied goals for the Utes, who improved to 10-4 overall and a perfect 3-0 in conference play. Utah also improved to 9-0 all time against the Falcons and recorded their fourth consecutive victory in Colorado Springs.

“It was a very hard-fought game,” said Utah head coach Rich Manning. “Air Force put tremendous pressure on the ball all over the field and showed great work ethic. I give them a lot of credit for a great effort.”

Letro struck first for the Utes in the 21st minute off a set piece from junior midfielder Melissa Crespo. Letro, who had her back to the goal when the play began, took the pass, whirled around and buried a shot just inside the left post.

That goal brings Letro’s season total to seven, good enough for the lead both on the team and in the MWC.

Early in the second half, Christoffers gave the Utes a little breathing room with her goal in the 57th minute. After somehow emerging with the ball from a scrum near midfield, the sophomore forward beat both the defense and the keeper, burying a shot from 35 yards out.

Christoffers’ goal was her third of the season, moving her into third place on Utah’s stat sheet.

The Utah defense, which struggled at times during the first few weeks of the season, was even more impressive than the offense, recording its fifth consecutive shut out. Senior keeper Ashley Mason made four saves on the night before giving way to Lynzee Lee in the 76th minute.

Although no one can complain much about a 2-0 win on the road, Manning feels as though his offense could have done even more.

“We want to do a better job of finishing opportunities, and that’s a goal of ours as we head through the rest of season,” he said. “We were unfortunate in that we didn’t get a few more of our shots to go in, but we did a good job of working to get the opportunities.”

Part of the reason the Utes weren’t able to find the back of the net more often was the performance of Air Force goalkeeper Erin Wallace, who made five saves in 90 minutes of play.

With Air Force out of the way, the Utes can cool their heels for a few days before a Sunday afternoon showdown with New Mexico in Albuquerque.

Kim Peterson

Defender Melissa Crespo brushes with BYU midfielder Natalie Nate in Saturday’s 1-0 home win against the Cougars.