Since the beginning of the season, Utah has led the way in the Pac-12 with the most players with multiple assists. Leading the way are veterans Katie Rogers and Taylor Slattery, who are joined by freshman Holly Daugirda and Aleea Gwerder, sophomore Hailey Skolmoski, and junior Cabria Turang.
“That just shows what a team effort it has been,” Rogers said. “It’s not just one person making it happen. People are stepping up from all different age groups and all different experience levels. We are all stepping up to play and win, and I think that really shows what kind of team we are this year.”
Rogers and Slattery also lead the way with the most career assists on the current Utah roster. Slattery rose up the ranks as a freshman, and she was a starter for 13 games. Rogers took on a more defensive midfield role this last season starting in all but one game for Utah, but feels like she could do better.
“Taylor and I just want the ball in the back of the net no matter what,” Rogers said. “We don’t care if we score, we just want a teammate to score so we can win. I think that is kind of cool for the both of us to look at in that perspective.”
Making History
After a 1-0 win over Oregon State last season, head coach Rich Manning earned his 150th career win as the head coach for the Utah soccer team.
“I didn’t really think about it much,” Manning said. “I was just really excited for the kids to get a Pac-12 win, and when I did reflect on it later, I really thought about all the players that had played for us, the great things they did for us, and just the opportunities I’ve had this year.”
Before Utah joined the Pac-12, Manning led his team to three Mountain West Championships and a couple of league tournament titles.
Along with making history, Manning also established Utah as an elite program during his time as head coach for the soccer team. However, according to Manning, the work is never done.
“We are always pushing the ceiling to see how far we can take it,” Manning said. “I think we are capable of even more so that is something to look back on at the end of the season or at the end of my time here.”
First Meetings
Utah soccer has had a busy travel. The team has traveled to Purdue (Sept. 9) and North Dakota (Sept. 11). The Utes will continue on with their travels as the head to Orem, Ut. to take on Utah Valley. This will be their first meeting since 2014.
“Just like any other Utah team, they have a target our back,” Slattery said. “They want to beat us just like Utah State and BYU or any other Utah team, so we are going to have to show up and be ready to play right off the bat.”
Rogers added that since it is an in-state game, she thinks it will be fun, exciting and competitive, and expects them to come out with their best shot. Rogers also said her team needs to match Utah Valley’s level to get better and get the win.
Following the game against Utah Valley, the Utes will head back to their home field to compete against UC Irvine on Sunday, Sept. 18. Though Utah has four players who are from California, this will be the first meeting between the two teams.
Rogers feels that the Sunday game will be difficult to get up for, and the actual competition for the Utes will be battling themselves.
“I think the real competition will be within ourselves,” Rogers said. “If we can overcome our fatigue, tiredness and just go out and play with energy and competitiveness, I think if we do that and match the energy and intensity level we brought on Friday, then we will be fine on Sunday.”
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