Over the past several seasons, the U women’s soccer team has been very clear about its intentions on its home field: just win.
Last weekend, the Utes (3-2-1) sent Idaho State and Oregon home with defeats and kept their record at Ute Field perfect. Tonight the Utes are set to play Cal Poly in what might be a third straight notch in the win column.
While Cal Poly’s 1-5 record is less than impressive, the Mustangs have played a difficult schedule and have lost by one goal four times.
“We’re kind of expecting a very hungry, desperate team,” head coach Rich Manning said. “They’re always hardworking anyway.”
Traditionally, the Mustangs are a tough team to beat. In fact, in the only game the Utes and Mustangs have contested, Cal Poly destroyed Utah 8-0.
But that was 1997. Ten years later, the Utes — who have been to five NCAA tournaments straight — are a different team.
“Cal Poly has kind of been the flagship program for the Big West conference in the past 10 years,” Manning said.
they’ll be dangerous on corner kicks and free kicks,” Manning said.
Both the Idaho State and Oregon matches last week put the Utes in unique situations, and Manning was pleased with how his team responded.
On Friday, lightning caused a frustrating two-hour delay and an expected 7:30 p.m. kickoff was bumped back to 9:30 p.m. The Utes faced more adversity during the match itself when they fell behind 2-1 late in the game. But Utah rallied and when the long night was finally over, the Utes had escaped with a 3-2 overtime win.
Still fatigued from the late-night overtime thriller on Friday, the Utes played Oregon Sunday afternoon. Once again, the weather might have played a factor — instead of lightning, it was the heat on Sunday.
“The games provided a challenge of mental toughness,” Manning said. “Seeing the kids come back from that was very encouraging.”
Manning found further encouragement from the Utes’ defense, which is steadily improving despite the fact that four newbies man the Utes’ back line.
Although, Manning would like to see the defenders “do a better job of clearing the ball out of our zone,” he said.
Offensively, Utah’s shooting and crossing weren’t precise.
But the Utes’ offense was able to create quality chances against a pair of tough defenses. After giving up nine goals in three games, Ute goalkeeper Lynzee Lee picked up the first shutout of her career on Sunday when the Utes defeated Oregon 2-0.
“I think she’s been very solid,” Manning said. “We’ve put her in some tough environments.”
Utah and Cal Poly will kick off at 7:30 p.m. at Ute Field. On Saturday, the Utes will wrap up their four-game home stand against Washington at 7:30 p.m.