Women's Soccer Falls to Denver
DENVER – The Utah women's soccer team made their first road appearance on the season and were defeated by Denver, 3-0, on Thursday night.
Utah (1-2-0) had 11 shots on the contest and forced the Pioneers' (3-0-0) defense to defend as Utah controlled possession for 56 percent of the match. With the offensive pressure the Utes put on Denver, Utah took five corner kicks in the game. Courtney Talbot led the team with three shots.
After the Pioneers got the game's first shot, the Utes had three excellent scoring chances midway through the first half. Brianna Pearson tallied the first shot for the Utes. Racing down the right edge of the box, Pearson took a shot that went just high of goal, keeping the game scoreless.
A few minutes later, Utah continued to pressure Denver's defense. This time, Eden Jacobsen split the Pioneers' defense and shot about six feet out that went high.
The best scoring chance came in the 31st minute. Jacobsen kept a ball in on the end line and sent a cross into the box. Her cross found Maryn Granger, whose header was going to the upper right corner of the goal but the Pioneers goalie made the save.
Denver scored the match's first goal when Sydney Sharp took a shot that went bottom right corner and took a 1-0 lead, which would be the halftime score.
Ten minutes into the second half, the Utes Courtney Talbot had another quality look on goal. After the Utes found Talbot around 12 yards out, her shot barely went wide of goal.
Denver tallied two more goals midway through the second half taking a 3-0 lead.
The Utes kept the offensive pressure on the Pioneers, and Taliana Kaufusi fired a rocket off her left foot to the upper right corner that the Pioneers goalie made an outstanding save on. A few minutes later, after a Denver foul, Talbot had a shot go off the post. The Utes continued to put pressure on the Pioneers but would fall, 3-0.
Utah returns to the pitch this Sunday, Aug. 29, at 1 p.m. (MT) when hosting Northern Colorado at Ute Field. Sunday is the End of the Summer Bash at Ute Field. Anyone who has attended our clinics will receive free admission to the match.