|
|
Julie Herdic scored five goals in 2002.
|
Aug. 20, 2003
SALT LAKE CITY - Julie Herdic scored three goals and added an assist, and the Utes' defense allowed only one goal off a free kick in a 6-1 exhibition win against Nevada on Wednesday afternoon at Ute Field.
Lauren Field, working her way back after being diagnosed with a heart condition in the off-season, scored two goals on eight shots. Amber Brower added the Utes' other goal and an assist.
Utah turned up the heat on Nevada's defenders, firing 31 shots on a sizzling, 95-degree day on the pitch. The Utes also had five corner kicks to the Wolf Pack's one. The only negatives statistically for Utah were three offsides.
"We're still working on tactical things right now. But I thought that in spite of that our skill level really showed through, and I'm excited about that," said Ute Coach Rich Manning. "Our skills will only get better when the basic fundamentals aren't our main focus."
Manning explained that he is working from the back forward in building this year's team. The second-year head coach is breaking in a new corps of goalkeepers and has lost all-conference defender Katie Battazzo to a knee injury.
Freshmen Ashley Mason and Kaycie Zimmerman split halves in front of the net, with Zimmerman allowing Nevada's only goal in the 40th minute. The score came off a free kick at the top off the box after Zimmerman handled the ball illegally. The Wolf Pack didn't get another shot on goal.
Brower opened the scoring for Utah six and a half minutes in after taking a pass from Herdic 10 yards out on the left side. Field scored the first of her two goals a little less than eight minutes later, drilling a shot from 20 yards away on the right side. Freshman Michelle Deatherage was credited for the assist. Field also got a breakaway goal in the 80th minute after taking a pass from Brower just over the midfield line on the left side.
Herdic struck three times in the final six minutes of the first half to put the game out of reach. The junior forward scored off a rebound, then converted two well-placed Carisse Winegar passes for scores. Winegar also fired eight shots.
"This was a positive day in the preseason for us," said Manning. "We did some things really well, and a lot of the mistakes we made were because of things we hadn't worked on yet. Our fitness level needs to be better, and there are still a lot of question marks with this team. But, this will be a more skillful team than last year's, and we will possess the ball better."
Utah opens the regular season against Colgate on Friday, Aug. 29 at 4:00 p.m. at Ute Field.
|
|
 |
