Following back-to-back road wins over Arizona State and Kansas State, the University of Utah women’s soccer team (8-5-4, 5-3-2 Big 12) returned to the pitch for critical late-season matches. On Sunday, the Utes took on the Kansas Jayhawks on the road for a Big 12 conference match-up. Then, on Thursday, Utah battled with the Houston Cougars at home.
Kansas
On Sunday, the Utes traveled to Lawrence, Kansas to challenge the Jayhawks. The match-up was the first in-conference battle between the teams, who had only faced-off three times prior. With the momentum in the Utes’ favor, they looked to add another win to close out their three-game road trip.
The match started off with a strong Kansas offensive advantage. In the first 15 minutes of the half, the Utes were outshot by the Jayhawks, one shot to five. Despite the early chances for Kansas, both team’s defenses were the story of the period.
Utah’s Kasey Wardle had a notable half in-net, foiling three of the Jayhawk’s scoring attempts. In the 30th minute, Kansas’ Raena Knust received a yellow card, the game’s first. With both team’s continuing to battle back-and-forth, and their defenses remaining the star of the show, the match rolled into halftime staying scoreless.
Going into the second half, both teams were eager to break the game open and net the first goal of the game. An early scoring chance for Taliana Kaufusi and the Utes was ultimately thwarted by the Jayhawk goaltender.
From there, the Kansas offense found their spark. The Jayhawks proceeded to attempt four shots in the following 10 minutes. In the 55th minute, Kansas’ Jillian Gregorski converted a crossed-ball into the goal, finally breaking the tie.
Being down on the board, the Utes were forced to play catch-up for the remainder of the match. The Utes attempted two more shots, but neither were able to get Utah the goal they were looking for. In the 75th minute, Kansas earned the 2-0 lead after a Utah own-goal.
With the remaining time dwindling, the Utes were unable to come back. They ultimately lost the match, 2-0. The Utes had seven total shots, 13 less than Kansas, and were unable to buy a corner-kick. Wardle finished the match with five saves.
Houston
Following the road loss, Utah returned to Ute Field Thursday night to challenge the Houston Cougars. The Utes found themselves with a quick opportunity in the third minute, completing a shot-on-goal, but it was ultimately saved by the Houston goaltender.
Less than five minutes later, Houston’s Juliet Moore earned an early yellow card. In the twelfth minute, Kaufusi found herself with an optimal opportunity, landing a shot on goal. Akin to the Utes’ previous shot, the attempt was thwarted by the goalie.
The Cougars’ offense would get its chance later in the half, with the team earning its first shot in the twenty-eighth minute. Another scoring chance for Houston in the thirty-second minute was foiled, as the Cougar shot deflected off the crossbar.
The Utes found their moment to gain the advantage just three minutes later. Utah’s Kelly Bullock scored her first goal of the season off of an assist from Katie Callaway. Breaking the game open and getting on the board, the Utes took control of the game.
In the second half, with Utah maintaining the one-goal advantage, Houston was eager to find the equalizer. In a two-and-a-half minute span, the Utes earned three shots early in the period, but were unable to extend their lead.
Steady play continued throughout the half, with both teams looking to produce a game-changing opportunity. Despite their respective motivations, neither were able to find the back of the net in the period. The Utes received one yellow card in the sixty-third minute.
The Utah defense stumped any Cougar aspirations to get on the board and knot the score. A late save from Wardle in the eighty-eighth minute sealed the deal, as the Utes earned the 1-0 win. Utah finished with 16 shots, four corner kicks and two saves.
Up Next
On Sunday, Utah soccer returns to Ute Field to take on the Baylor Bears for the team’s final home game. Then, on Friday, the Utes will travel east to take on the Colorado Buffaloes in their final match of the regular season.
