Following a split series versus Utah State and Weber State, the University of Utah Women’s Soccer team (2-2-2) returned for two matches this week. On Thursday, they traveled to Baton Rouge, Louisiana to take on the Louisiana State University Tigers. Then, on Sunday, the Utes returned to Salt Lake City to take on the Utah Valley University Wolverines.
Louisiana State University
On the road for the first time of the season, the Utes looked to continue their success they found in their match with Weber State the prior Sunday. It didn’t take long for Utah to find the back of the net. Taliana Kaufusi, who scored a hat-trick performance against the Wildcats last week, scored in the eighth minute of the match.
Despite the early momentum for Utah, offensive production ceased for the remainder of the first half for both teams. The Utes completed four surplus shots in the period, one more than the Tigers, but were unable to add on to the lead.
Coming out of halftime, LSU quickly found their stride. Only a minute into the second half, a Sage Glover goal knotted the game at a goal a piece. In the half, the Tigers attempted 15 shots, and Utah only attempted three.
Thankfully for the Utes, goaltender Erin Gibbs stood strong, earning four saves in the second period. Powered by her performance, the Utes withstood the LSU barrage. Without further offensive developments, the game resulted in a 1-1 draw, the Utes’ second draw of the season.
Utah Valley University
Looking to get back in the win column, the Utes returned to Ute Field Sunday night for an in-state match-up with Utah Valley. The first fifteen minutes of the match remained rather uneventful, with both teams trading shots and Utah committing four fouls.
Utah Valley found an offensive spark in the 17th minute, producing two great chances. The first shot deflected off the crossbar and the second was saved by Gibbs. Utah had a chance of their own in the 25th minute, but the shot sailed wide of the net.
Only a minute later, a Faith Webber shot snuck past the Ute goaltender, giving the Wolverines the early lead. With the wind strengthening late in the half, a rough foul from Kaufusi resulted in the game’s only yellow card.
The Utes produced their first shot on goal in the 38th minute. Then, with a single minute left in the period, Utah found themselves with another great scoring opportunity. Kelly Bullock shot the ball, but it rang off the crossbar, closing the half.
Starting the later half of the match, Utah Valley struck quickly. Webber netted her second goal of the game three minutes in, expanding the Wolverines’ lead to two. In an effort to get back in the game, the Utes’ offense looked to find its spark.
Utah put four more shots on goals, looking to convert on each and every scoring opportunity. Despite the Utes’ best efforts, Wolverine goaltender Leah Wolf prevented a Utah goal during the offensive attacks.
In the 76th minute, a collision between a Utah Valley player and Gibbs resulted in an injury stoppage. After receiving attention from the trainers and the conclusion of the time break, Gibbs remained in net and finished the game.
With the remaining time waning, Utah searched for a last-ditch comeback effort. The Utes were unable to get on the board in the final ten minutes of the match, ultimately losing 2-0. Utah finished with five shots on goal, two corner kicks and a save.
Up Next
Coming off the draw and the loss, Utah looks forward to their first Big-12 match-up this week. On Thursday, the University of Arizona will come into town to take on the Utes. The game will start at 7 p.m. MST. Then, on Sunday, the Idaho State Bengals will face off against Utah at Ute Field. Both games will be televised via ESPN+.
j.marriott@dailyutahchronicle.com
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