Utah Soccer Shuts Out Cal Poly, 2-0

Sunday, August 30

Salt Lake City

1:00 PM

University of Utah

Cal Poly

8/30/2009 12:00 AM | Soccer

Aug. 30, 2009

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SALT LAKE CITY - The University of Utah soccer team (4-0) remained unbeaten with a 2-0 defeat of Cal Poly (0-2) at Ute Field Sunday. The Utes have now tied their best start in school history, equaling that of the 2005 squad that opened with six straight victories. The game-winning goal came off the foot of redshirt senior striker Jen Christoffers.

Utah got on the board in the 25th minute of play as Christoffers collected a failed clearance attempt at the top of the penalty box by the Cal Poly defense and dribbled in untouched, slotting it past the keeper from just a few yards out. With her first goal of the season, Christoffers became the fourth different Ute to net the game-winning strike.

"The defender lost the ball so I just took it and scored," said Christoffers. "That's doesn't happen often so it was good we were pushed up so far because we had players who were there to jump on it. I'm pretty excited, I know it's my last year and I know not everyone gets a fifth year, so I just want to work hard and make my last season a good one."

Just over five minutes later, redshirt sophomore forward Erin Dalley gave the Utes a 2-0 lead as she also grabbed her first goal of the season. The Cal Poly goalkeeper cleared the ball but it fell right to a wide open Dalley about 25 yards out. She settled the ball, took a touch and drilled a shot into the upper righthand corner.

Incidentally, both of Utah's goal-scorers missed the 2008 season with knee injuries. Christoffers has two assists on the year to go with her goal for four points, while Dalley gets her first points of the season.

Utah still has yet to give up a goal in the run of play, recording three shutouts. The only opponent goal to date came from a Cal State Fullerton penalty kick. Sophomore goalkeeper Hanna Turpen made three saves to preserve her second solo shutout of the year and improve her career record to 9-1-0 between the pipes.

"I think the whole defense has a lot more experience this year and we know each other better," said sophomore center back Lauren Porter. "We have a season under our belt so we know the way each other plays and we can cover better for each other. (Holding three shutouts) is really exciting. It's a lot better start than we had last year. Hannah is awesome in goal, she has made some huge saves."

Despite holding another shutout and scoring twice, head coach Rich Manning appeared somewhat dissatisfied with his team's effort on the day.

"I feel like we played well for 20 minutes in the first half," said Manning. "This was not a highlight performance. I think both teams were a little tired. Chelsea (Forbes) brought a lot of energy off the bench for us in the first half. Overall we need to come out with better energy and be better in our transition from offense to defense."

Utah has now totaled 12 goals through four games, its second-best offensive start to a season in team history, trailing the 1996 squad by two goals. Four of those goals that year however came against a Division II opponent.

Utah returns to action at home Wednesday against in-state foe Weber State (2-0), who is coming off a 1-0 home victory over Maine. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m. MT. It will be Utah Youth Soccer Association Night at Ute Field as the Utes help celebrate US Youth Soccer Month.