Utes Battle Denver and Northern Colorado This Week

SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah women's soccer team hits the road for its first road contest when they face the University of Denver on Thursday. Following Thursday's contest, Utah returns home to face Northern Colorado at Ute Field on Sunday.
 

 
Sunday Promotion at Ute Field
Sunday is the End of Summer Bash at Ute Field. Anyone who has attended our clinics will receive free admission to the match against Northern Colorado.
 
Last Time Out
The last time the Utes took the pitch was on Aug. 22, when they hosted Boise State. Utah controlled possession and outshot the Broncos in the contest; however, Boise State scored the lone goal. Utah had multiple scoring opportunities in both halves but couldn't take advantage of the quality looks.
 
Scouting Denver
The Pioneers of the University of Denver enter the matchup with the Utes with a perfect 2-0-0 record. Denver opened the season with a 5-0 win over Air Force on opening night before beating Colorado State 1-0 on Sunday. This season, the Pioneers have outscored their opponents, 6-0, and have outshot opponents 18.5 to 8.5 during the game. DU has had six different players score a goal this season. Jordan Crockett and Chaynee Kingsbury lead the team with three points, one goal, and one assist on the season. Nerea Arrazola has been the only goalkeeper in net for the Pioneers and has made six saves while pitching two shutouts.
 
Scouting Northern Colorado
Northern Colorado enters this week's contests with a 1-0-1 record after playing in the Colorado Cup. The Bears play Thursday night at Utah State before making the trip to Ute Field on Sunday. UNC defeated Colorado College, 3-1, before playing Air Force to a 0-0 double-overtime draw. Lexi Pulley leads the team in goals scored with two on the season. Pulley has seven shots, with five being on net. She has one game-winning goal. Haley O'Nan is the only other player on the roster to score this season. Standing between the pipes for the Bear is Morgan Bury. Bury has played all 200 minutes in net and tallied 13 saves while only allowing one goal.
 
Looking to Set Career-Highs
Which Utes are going to set career-highs in goals scored this season? Eden Jacobsen and Taliana Kaufusi scored during the first game for Utah and are looking to set career-highs this season. Jacobsen has scored two goals each of the past three seasons. Kaufusi has tied her career-high with one goal.
 
Hitting the Road
Thursday's matchups at Denver will be the first road game for the Utes and the first of eight on the season. Utah looks for its first road win since Feb. 11, 2021, where the Utes defeated Dixie State, 1-0, in double-overtime. Three of the next four matches for the Utes will be held on the road, with Sunday's contest against Northern Colorado as the lone contest at Ute Field.
 
Record vs. Opponents
Utah has matched up with Denver and Northern Colorado before, three times combined. Utah has not dropped a match against either of these schools and is 3-0-0 against them. This will be the first matchup for the Utes in Denver and the second matchup between the Bears and Utes at Ute Field. Utah holds a 7-0-0 record against Summit League teams and a 35-6-3 record against Big Sky opponents.
 
Last Time Against Denver & Northern Colorado
The last time the Utes took on Denver was back in the 2005 season. Denver traveled to Salt Lake City to face the Utes. Utah came away with the 1-0 victory. It's been even longer since the Utes have squared off with Northern Colorado. These two teams met during the 1995 season when Utah earned a 3-2 victory over the Bears.
 
First Win For Coach Nakada
In his very first game of the season, the Utes gave coach Nakada his first career victory. Eden Jacobsen gave Utah its first goal of the season, and Taliana Kaufusi scored the game-winning goal in the 61' minute of the contest. Makayla Christensen scored the third and final goal in the 3-1 victory. Chelsea Petersen tallied six saves in the match.
 
Next Up
The Utes hit the road for the next two matches. Utah opens the swing in Normal, Ill. against Illinois State. First kick is set for 5 p.m. MT. The road swing ends in Indianapolis, Ind., when the Utes play at Butler. The match starts at 11 a.m. MT.