Season Changer: Even though it was a slow-paced and cautious game from both sides, the Utes handled the possession of the ball well and got the job done by shutting out Oregon State 1-0 to keep their Pac-12 and NCAA Tournament hopes alive. With that first obstacle out of the way, the team can look to Sunday’s match against Oregon as another opportunity to gain another three points.
Substitute Hero: The only goal of the match was provided by Mariah Elmer, who came off the bench to finish a classy chip into the back of the net in the 39th minute. Elmer, who has been showing a lot of potential in her sophomore season, leads the team in goal-scoring, adding her third on Friday.
Manning’s 150th Win: This match also provided some college soccer history, with head coach Rich Manning earning his 150th career win as head coach of Utah. Since his hiring in 2002, Manning has led the Utes to six NCAA Tournament appearances with the hope of heading to his seventh by the end of this season. If the Utes continue to play as they did against Oregon State, that scenario is very possible.
Coaches’ Corner: “The team worked very hard tonight and gave an outstanding effort. We showed outstanding hustle and adjusted well to the rhythm of the game. In the second half, we played settled, held the ball well, kept possession and created chances. I thought we were really well organized in our play. Everyone knew where the pressure pockets were and communicated well on the field. We prevented possible problems really well,” Manning said.
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