SMC Upsets No. 23 Ranked Utah, 2-1

Sunday, September 29

Salt Lake City

1:00 PM

University of Utah

St Marys Ca

9/29/2002 12:00 AM | Soccer

Sept. 29, 2002

Final Stats

SALT LAKE CITY - The University of Utah women's soccer team loss their first game of the season in a double-overtime thriller to Saint Mary's, 2-1, Sunday on Ute Field. This defeat puts the Utes' overall season record at 5-1-2.

Utah struck first at the 41:09 mark when junior Missy Dennis scored off an assist from Bobbie Benegas to put the Utes up 1-0 early in the first half. The Utes controlled possession throughout the game, but the Gaels would not let up as they countered with a late second half goal from Sara Takekawa to tie the game at 1-1. Takekawa was able to brake away from the Utes' defense and chip the tying goal pass goalkeeper Lynnsey Asay-Kimball at the 70:18 mark.

The game winning goal came from SMC's Shauna Rech with 36 seconds remaining in the second overtime. Rech's amazing 20-yard blast struck off the top of the goal post and then bounced off keeper Asay-Kimball's shoulder to end the game at 2-1 and improve the Gaels' record to 4-5-1. Utah has only given up four goals this season.

"It was a nice shot," remarked Asay-Kimball. "We focus a lot on our defense, but this shot just took an unlucky bounce.

In the first overtime, senior forward Shauna Gurr-Bingham was unsuccessful in a 15-yard attempt that was just shy of the goal. The Utes outshot the Gaels 17-3 going into the second overtime. In the second overtime, senior Katie Tate was inches away from the goal in a header attempt off a pass from Gurr-Bingham. Utah had many chances to close this game early, but were unable to connect. The Utes shotout the Gaels 18-4 in the game.

"Saint Mary's never gives up and they showed that today," said coach Rich Manning. "I credit their character, they deal well with adversity. We have eked out a few close games in the past, but I think we are striving to improve. We have some great athletes on this team and that allows us to avoid problems.

Prior to this game, Utah's defense was well established in the NCAA rankings. Utah goalkeepers Asay-Kimball and Courtney Hills-McBeth were ranked nationally in the category goals-against average. Asay-Kimball (0.27) was ranked fifth and Hills-McBeth (0.50) placed 16th in the poll.

Next up, the Utes will battle two tough upcoming bouts with instate rivals Utah State and Weber State. The Utah State match will be held on Oct. 2 at 4:00 p.m. on Ute Field and the game will the Wildcats will be played on Oct. 5 at 1:00 p.m. in Ogden, Utah.