|
|
Freshman Hanna Terry scored Utah's only goal last week with a great strike against William & Mary.
|
Sept. 7, 2009
2009 Utah Soccer Season Tickets
2009 Soccer Schedule
Become a Member of the Crimson Kicks
Week 4 Match Notes in PDF Format 
SALT LAKE CITY - The Utah soccer team (4-2) looks to bounce back from back-to-back losses as it hosts Princeton (1-1) Wednesday at 7:30 p.m., then heads to Boulder, Colo. for a Friday matchup at 15th-ranked Colorado (3-2). After opening the season 4-0, Utah is hoping to end a two-game skid that has seen them produce plenty of shots, but barely miss on the desired outcome.
The Utes are facing Princeton for the first time. Utah is 1-5 all-time against Colorado, including an 0-2 mark in Boulder. Their last meeting came in 2006, with the Buffalos winning a 2-1 decision in Salt Lake City. Utah's only win in the series was a 1-0 victory at home in 1998. The Buffaloes do not have another game before Friday night's clash, while Utah will be making a quick turnaround from a Wednesday-night home game and travel day on Thursday.
Manning Still Trying For Century Mark...
Utah head coach Rich Manning is still just one victory shy of the 100-win mark for his career, all of which have come at the helm for Utah. Averaging more than 13.5 wins per year over his previous seven years, Manning looks to become only the second Mountain West Conference coach ever to hit the century mark, joining BYU's Jennifer Rockwood.
Since becoming Utah's head coach in 2002, Manning has led the Utes to five MWC championships, three regular-season titles and two tournament crowns. In five of his previous seven seasons, the Utes have earned an NCAA Tournament berth, including their first ever in his inaugural season.
Scouting This Week's Opponent...
Princeton - The Tigers are 1-1 on the year following a season-opening loss to Hofstra, 2-1, and a victory over St. John's by the same score. Wednesday's match will be the first of a two-game week against the MWC for Princeton, as the Tigers will then head to Laramie, Wyo. for a Friday night match against Wyoming.
All three of Princeton's goals have come from different players, with Alissa Bodie netting the game-winner against the Red Storm. Barb Previ and Vicki Anagnostopoulos were the other two goal-scorers. Jen Hoy has two assists on the year., while Caitlin Blosser and Stephanie Iantorno have also logged helpers.
Between the pipes has been Alyssa Pont, who has notched six saves while allowing three goals for a 1.50 goals-against-average and a save percentage of .667.
The Tigers are led by 15th-year head coach Julie Shackford, who owns a 154-77-16 record (.659) at Princeton and a 196-98-19 mark for her entire career.
Colorado - Like the Utes, the Buffaloes will be looking to make amends for a tough home loss this week, coming off a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Oregon. In it's previous match, Colorado needed double-overtime to beat Denver by a 1-0 score in Boulder. CU's other loss was a neutral-site defeat to Illinois, 2-1.
Colorado is led offensively by Kelly Butler and Nikki Marshall with three goals apiece, while Butler also has an assist, giving her a team-leading seven points. Marshall owns two of Colorado's game-winners, while Butler netted the other. Ally Goodman has a pair of assists to lead the team in that discipline.
Three goalkeepers have seen time in the net for Colorado, with Kara Linder playing the lion's share of time. She has put up solid numbers that are very similar to that of Utah goalkeeper Hannah Turpen, setting the stage for a potential goalkeeping duel. Linder has made 14 saves while allowing four goals, for a save percentage of .778 and a goals-against-average of 0.83. Turpen made 15 saves and allowed three goals, for a GAA of 0.76 and a save percentage of .789.
The Buffaloes are led by ninth-year head coach Bill Hempen, who owns a 96-58-23 (.607) record at CU and a 258-158-39 mark in his 21-year career.
Utes Looking To Regain Defensive Form...
The Utes are hoping to return to the defensive form that saw them yield just one goal through the first four games, with that strike coming on a penalty kick.
Utah returned all four of its defensive starters from 2008 and has added signifcant depth and toughness through its freshman class. In addition to their skill at keeping the ball out of Utah's net, the Ute defenders have shown a keen ability to get involved in the offense. Defenders Lauren Dudley and Zoe Van Gorder, each standing more than 5-foot-9, have both scored by heading in a corner kick. Lauren Porter is among the team leaders in shots and shots taken, and has missed scoring her first goal of the season by the narrowest of margins.
In goal, sophomore Hannah Turpen has started all six games, compiling 15 saves and earning two solo shutouts. She holds a goals-against-average of 0.76 and save percentage of .789. Utah possesses a strong two-deep at goalkeeper, with senior Emalee Rogers backing up Turpen. She came in to play the second half of the William & Mary game, making one save. Rogers also came on for the final 22 minutes of the UVU game and made two saves to secure the combined shutout with Turpen.
Threatening From Everywhere... Utah has now scored 13 goals on the year with nine different players finding the back of the net. The Utes have had offensive success from all over the field, evidenced by the following goal breakdown by position: forward (7), attacking midfield (3), center back (2) and holding midfield (1). Utah has gotten multiple goals from two players, while seven others have lit up the scoreboard once.
Utah Picks Up First Ranked Win Since 2007... With the 1-0 victory against No. 19-ranked Santa Clara last Friday, Utah registered its first win over a ranked opponent since beating No. 16 BYU in Provo, 1-0, in October of 2007. It was the Utes' first victory over a ranked opponent at home since defeating No. 15 BYU, 1-0, in October of 2006.
Freshman Impact... Utah brought in a class of seven freshman this year and each one has already made an impact on the squad. Forward Hanna Terry has started all six games, while midfielder Allie Wisner has started five and played signifigant time in the other. Terry opened her career's scoring account in the win over Cal State Fullerton, then netted her second against William & Mary in the Utes' last game. Wisner and Terry they both recorded an assist against Utah Valley. Midfielder Stephanie Lemeza has started the last two games, getting her first assist on Terry's goal against W&M, while defender Zoe Van Gorder also scored on a forceful header against UVU. Defender Ashley Mosley, who is currently nursing an ankle injury, played significant minutes in four matches prior to taking the knock, while defender Natalie Young (three games) and forward Monica Okapal (2) have also featured for the Utes.
Utes Slip From National Top 25...
Utah has fallen out of the national Top 25 in both polls released thus far, after taking two losse last week. The Utes had been ranked No. 21 by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) and were listed among the top 25 in every recognized national poll last week.
In the NSCAA Pacific Region rankings, the Utes have slipped to No. 9.
With its No. 21 ranking last week, Utah had broken into the top 25 for the first time since 2006, when the team finished No. 23 in the final NSCAA rankings and No. 21 in the SoccerTimes.com poll.
Facing A Tough Schedule... The Utes have not strayed from their goal of playing a diverse, difficult schedule year-in year-out. Five of Utah's opponents were ranked or receiving votes in the NSCAA Top 25 prior to the season: UCLA (5), Oklahoma State (11), Santa Clara (22), BYU (25) and Colorado (RV).
Utes Tie For Second In Preseason MWC Poll...
Utah has been selected second in the Mountain West Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll. The Utes are predicted to finish behind BYU, who received 49 points and seven of eight first-place votes to capture the top spot. TCU received the only other first-place vote in the poll.
San Diego State and UNLV were predicted to finish in fourth and fifth place with 30 and 28 points, respectively. New Mexico was ranked sixth (18 points), while Wyoming (14 points) and Air Force (7 points) rounded out the top eight.
From the Mind of Head Coach Rich Manning...
On the keys to bouncing back from two straight losses:
"I think it is really important that the team continues to play with confidence. Our players need to keep believing in each other and that they are on the way to reaching their potential to be really good team. Other than maybe the first 25 minutes against William & Mary on Sunday, I thought we played well, so we just have to build on that."
On the challenges of facing Princeton and Colorado this week:
"It is key that we continue to face tough challenges. I think its the best way for our players to grow and the best way we can put them in a position to learn.
"I am really excited about having two very successful programs on the schedule for this week. Princeton was in the final four a few years ago. Colorado has won the Big 12 regular season and tournament in the past few years, and is consistently in the top 20. These are games we want to play in. I'm sure we will find out more about our team this week and hopefully come away with a couple of good results."
|
|
 |
