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The University of Utah Athletics
Utah Soccer Hosts No. 19 Santa Clara Friday
8/24/2009 12:00 AM | Soccer
Aug. 24, 2009
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This Week's Action...
After a successful 2-0 start to the season, the University of Utah women's soccer team will now play five consecutive home matches beginning Friday, Aug. 28, against No. 22 Santa Clara (2-0). Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m. MT at Ute Field. Utah will then host Cal Poly at 1 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 30.
Utah and Santa Clara have met only once before, with the Broncos capturing a 1-0 win on their home field in 2006.
The Utes have faced Cal Poly three times, compiling a 2-1 record, including two straight shutout victories in the last two years. The Utes took down the Mustangs on the road in 2008 by a 1-0 score, after winning a 2-0 contest at Ute Field in 2007. Their first-ever meeting was 10 years earlier as Utah dropped an 8-0 match on a neutral pitch in 1997.
Scouting the Santa Clara Broncos...
Santa Clara is also unbeaten heading into Friday night's contest, with a 2-0 record of its own. The Broncos are coming off of a 2-0 home win against UC Santa Barbara, following a 4-0 road victory at San Jose State. As of Monday, SCU was ranked No. 22 in the NSCAA Top 25, and is expected to move up based on its performance last weekend.
All six of Santa Clara's goals on the year have come from different players. Kiki Bosio notched the game-winner against San Jose State and leads the team with seven shots. Olivia Klei tallied the game-winner against UC Santa Barbara.
The Broncos are led in goal by Bianca Henninger, who has claimed both shutouts without having to make a single save as Santa Clara's defense has only allowed one shot to be taken.
Santa Clara is coached by Jerry Smith, who holds a career record of 344-102-34 (.755), now in his 23rd year with the Broncos.
Utah head coach Rich Manning is extremely familiar with the SCU team and its staff. Prior to becoming the head coach at Utah, Manning was on the Santa Clara coaching staff for four years (1998-2001). He was an assistant coach for three years before being promoted to associate head coach. Manning helped direct the Broncos to four NCAA Tournament appearances, three NCAA College Cups and the 2001 NCAA championship title.
A Word on the Mustangs...
Cal Poly will open its season Friday at home against Stanford before making the trip to Salt Lake City. The Mustangs return five starters and 22 lettermen from the 2008 squad that went 10-9-1 with a 5-3-0 record in the Big West Conference.
Cal Poly's top returning player is senior defender Carrie Andrews, who logged three goals and one assist for seven points last year. The Mustangs also bring back junior midfielder Morgan Miller, the team's second-leading scorer, who tallied five goals and an assist for 11 points in 2008. Between the pipes, Cal Poly returns last year's starting goalkeeper, Coral Hoover, who posted a 1.26 GAA and made 95 saves.
Mustangs head coach Alex Crozier enters his 18th year at the helm with a record of 202-105-34 (.642).
Utah Off To Best Offensive Start Since 1996...
The Utes have netted nine goals in the first two games of the season, beating Utah Valley at home by a 6-0 score and Cal State Fullerton on the road, 3-1. The last time Utah scored at least nine goals in the first two games of a season was in 1996 when they tallied 11. Utah needed nine games to score nine goals in 2008.
Utes Receiving Votes In SoccerTimes.com Coaches' Poll...
The University of Utah soccer team (2-0) is receiving votes in this week's SoccerTimes.com Top 25 Coaches' Poll, the website reported this week. The Utes will face the Santa Clara Broncos (2-0), ranked No. 20 in the Soccertimes.com poll and No. 19 by the NSCAA, at Ute Field Friday night at 7:30 p.m.
Utah is receiving votes for the first time since also receiving votes in the final poll of the 2007 season. The last time Utah broke through to the Top 25 in the SoccerTimes.com poll was a No. 21 ranking in the final poll of the 2006 season. They finished No. 23 in the final NSCAA rankings that year.
Freshman Impact...
Utah brought in a class of seven freshman this year and each one has already made an impact on the squad. Forward Hanna Terry and midfielder Allie Wisner have both started the first two games. Terry scored in the win over Cal State Fullerton, and they both recorded an assist against Utah Valley. Defender Zoe Van Gorder also scored on a forceful header against UVU. Midfielder Stephanie Lemeza and defender Ashley Mosley have each played significant minutes in both matches, while forwards Natalie Young and Monica Okapal saw time in the Utah Valley game.
Defensively Speaking...
The Utes have yet to allow a goal in the run of play through two games, with the only opponent tally coming from a penalty kick. The Utes returned all four of its defensive starters from 2008 and have added signifcant depth and toughness through its freshman class.
In addition to their skill at keeping the ball out of Utah's net, the Ute defenders have shown a keen ability to get involved in the offense. Defenders Dudley and Van Gorder, each standing more than 5-foot-9, have both scored by heading in a corner kick, while Lauren Porter is among the league leaders in shots taken (4).
In goal, sophomore Hannah Turpen has made both starts, compiling three saves. Senior keeper Emalee Rogers came off the bench to play the last 22 minutes of the UVU game and made two saves of her own to secure the shutout.
Isleib Off To A Hot Start...
Senior midfielder Kelly Isleib leads the Utes and the Mountain West Conference with two goals and two assists for six points. Isleib has netted a goal in each game so far, while notching both assists against Utah Valley, one on a corner kick and one in the run of play.
Utah's all-time leader in assists, Isleib has now increased her school-record total to 25 and is already one third of the way to tying her 2008 total of six goals and six assists for 18 points.
A three-time All-MWC selection, including two first-team appointments, Isleib is a prime candidate for conference Player of the Year and All-America honors.
Facing A Tough Schedule...
The Utes have not strayed from their goal of playing a diverse, difficult schedule year-in year-out. Five of Utah's opponents were ranked or receiving votes in the NSCAA Top 25 prior to the season: UCLA (5), Oklahoma State (11), Santa Clara (22), BYU (25) and Colorado (RV).
Utes Tie 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.
From the Mind of Head Coach Rich Manning...
On the team's two wins to open the season:
"It was clear through preseason that there was a really positive spirit and energy with our team and that played out last weekend. It translated into good teamwork, camaraderie and poise, which are all things you look for in a successful team. We just have to keep working on our execution, learn from new experiences and continue to develop together."
On scoring nine goals in the first two games:
"It was definitely a good start to the season. There is no doubt Kelly Isleib is more confident on offense, she has taken a major step offensively. Both of her goals were ripped, she has a different attitude going to goal. Getting Jen Christoffers back, adding Hanna Terry and having Lauren Hair and Chelsea Forbes with another year of experience, I feel that we have a lot more weapons up front. We have had a lot of different scorers which shows a great group effort. We have a lot of people who are capable of scoring and all of our goals have come with impressive precision."
On facing Santa Clara and Cal Poly this weekend:
"SCU's trademark has always been keeping the ball for a long time until they can break you down, and I expect the same quality this year. There is some sense that we are both in the same place mentally, coming off of disappointing years with some adversity. Both teams are determined to break through, not take prior successes for granted and regain that hunger.
"Cal Poly has been in the NCAA Tournament consistently over the last 10 years. Traditionally they are athletic, well organized and have one or two players who can turn around a game, and I expect the same. They will also bring a physical aspect similar to Cal State Fullerton that we will have to deal with. We let ourselves get pushed around a little bit in the first two games, so we have to focus on that in training and hope to improve this weekend."
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