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The University of Utah Athletics
Utah Hosts Season Opener Vs. Utah Valley Friday
8/17/2009 12:00 AM | Soccer
Aug. 17, 2009
2009 Utah Soccer Season Tickets
2009 Soccer Schedule
Utah Hosts Season Opener vs. Utah Valley
The University of Utah women's soccer team kicks off the 2009 season at home against Utah Valley, Friday, Aug. 21, at Ute Field. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m. MT. The Utes will then hit the road for a Sunday matchup at Cal State Fullerton at 1 p.m. PT at Titan Stadium.
The Utes are 3-0 all-time against Utah Valley and have outscored the Wolverines 11-1 in their three meetings. Utah has recorded two straight shutouts against UVU, including a 6-0 road victory in their last meeting, Oct. 3, 2007. Utah Valley comes into the 2009 season as the defending Great West Conference champions following a 5-0 GWC record last year under head coach Brent Anderson. The Wolverines are coming off of a 2-0 exhibition victory over Westminster and a 5-1 exhibition win against Weber State.
Utah and Cal State Fullerton will meet Sunday for the third time as the Utes look to collect their first win against the Titans. Utah and CSF last faced off on Sept. 21, 2008, playing to a 1-1 draw in Salt Lake City after the U. fought off an early 1-0 deficit. Defender Morgan Skeen scored an unassisted goal in the 25th minute to bring the game level and earn the tie against a Fullerton squad that had previously been ranked in the top 25 and was still receiving top-25 votes. In their only other meeting, Utah fell to the Titans on a neutral pitch, 4-0, in 2004. This game will mark the regular season-opener for CSF.
Utah is 9-4-1 all-time in season openers, including a 4-0 record in season-openers played at home.
Utes Tied 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.
Utah went 11-9-2 in 2008, finishing as the MWC runners-up in both the regular season and the MWC Tournament. Utah's regular-season losses last year were against BYU and at TCU. The Utes got redemption against TCU in the MWC Tournament with an overtime win in the semifinals.
From the Mind of Head Coach Rich Manning
On the team's preseason training camp:
"I am very optimistic about the team and it's mindset. Our players have demonstrated a willingness to go after the high level of goals and standards they have established for themselves and the team. My question all along has been `We are ready and willing, but are we able?' and I am confident now that we are. We have a lot of new players and there are still plenty of questions to be answered and those answers lie within the group. It might take us a little while to find our initial footing, but when we do I am confident we will be a really good team."
On his goals for the season:
"I want this team to play together, be difficult to score on and play with confidence and aggressiveness on the attack. If we can do those three things consistently, that I feel we will have a very successful season."
On facing Utah Valley and Cal State Fullerton on opening weekend:
"Utah Valley is one of those local derby games. Those players are all good athletes, they will be organized and they will work hard. I'm sure it will be a 90-minute battle.
"Fullerton is also a very athletic team and has its own style, which is different from a lot of teams that we play against. They will look to aggressively stretch the field out wide and make it difficult for us to get and keep the ball. Both games should be good challenges for us."
Upcoming Promotions At Ute Field
Friday, Aug. 21 vs. Utah Valley - 7:30 p.m. kickoff
- Opening Night
- Welcome giveaways
- Postgame: Autographs at midfield
Friday, Aug. 28 vs. No. 22 Santa Clara - 7:30 p.m. kickoff
- Nationally-ranked opponent
- Firebirds Club Night
- "Friday Night Lights - Pack The Pitch"
- Postgame: Autographs at midfield
Players Mentioned
Defender/Midfielder
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