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Brady's Goal Lifts Utah Past Denver

by Utah Athletics
Aug 25, 2022

SALT LAKE CITY – Avery Brady lifted the University of Utah women's soccer team to a 2-1 victory over Denver on Thursday night at Ute Field. Brady scored the game-winning goal in the 85th minute of the game. 
 
"I could not be prouder of our performance tonight," head coach Hideki Nakada stated. "Our Utes showed so much heart and grit to get back in the game and to come out on top late in the match. We started the match brilliantly and created numerous opportunities to go ahead. Unfortunately, we made a single mistake, resulting in their first shot and goal that put us in a difficult spot. We kept our composure and kept pushing, and we were rewarded with two big-time goals. It was by far the best 90 we have put together, and I am excited for this group to continue to grow."
 
The Utes outshot the Pioneers 13 to 7 in the contest and five to two with shots on goal. Madeline Vergura scored her second goal of the season, while Avery Brady scored her first of the year, lifting Utah to the victory. Ryann Cull picked up an assist on the night. 
 
Early in the contest, the Utes tried to get the offense clicking as Madeline Vergura and Courtney Brown had shots on goal, but Nerea Arrazola made the saves. Following the Utes' chances, the Pioneers were the first to score. After a Utah foul, Denver had a free kick, and Camryn MacMillan scored, putting Denver ahead 1-0. 
 
Utah continued to put pressure on Denver but went into halftime trailing 1-0. 
 
Coming out of halftime, the Utes came out and scored in the first 15 minutes of the half. The Utes sent a cross into the box, and the Pioneers tried to clear it. However, the ball ended up at Vergura's feet, and she beat the Pioneers goalie to the bottom right corner of the goal, tying the game at 1-1. 
 

 
Following Vergura's goal, Denver slowly started to mount an offensive attack. Sami Feller had a shot attempt on goal that Evie Vitali saved, keeping the game tied at 1-1. 
 
As the game went on, the Utes and Pioneers continued to have scoring chances, but neither team found the net until the 85th minute of the contest. Ryann Cull found Brady, who fired a shot from deep, and her shot went off the post and in, putting Utah ahead 2-1. Brady's goal would be the game-winning goal, and the Utes would improve to 2-0-1 on the season. 
 

 
Next Up
Utah returns to action on Sunday, Aug. 28, when they host Illinois State University at Ute Field in a non-conference match. The Utes and Redbirds will kick off at 6 p.m. MT.  

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Fans can follow along on social media (Twitter: @UtahWSoccer | Instagram: @UtahWSoccer | Facebook: Facebook.com/Utahwsoccer).
 

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