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The University of Utah Athletics
Utah Soccer Hosts Weber State, William & Mary This Week
8/31/2009 12:00 AM | Soccer
Aug. 31, 2009
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SALT LAKE CITY - The No. 21-ranked University of Utah soccer (4-0) will face two stiff challenges this week in its bid to stay undefeated, beginning Wednesday against in-state foe Weber State (2-0) at Ute Field at 7:30 p.m. The Utes are then back in action at home Sunday, Sept. 6, as they host William & Mary in the first-ever meeting between the two schools.
Wednesday's match will mark the ninth meeting all-time between Weber State and Utah but the first since 2005. The Utes hold a 6-2 advantage over the Wildcats, including a 3-1 edge at Ute Field. The U. has captured five consecutive wins against the Wildcats, all by shutout, outscoring WSU by a total of 16-0 in those games. In fact, seven of the eight previous meetings between the two clubs have resulted in a shutout, as both of Weber's wins were 2-0 decisions. The only non-shutout result came in their first-ever meeting, a 3-1 victory for the Utes on WSU's home field in Ogden in 1996.
Utah Ranked No. 21 In NSCAA National Top 25...
Utah has been ranked No. 21 by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA), the organization announced Tuesday. The Utes are now listed among the national top 25 in every recognized national poll this week.
In the NSCAA Pacific Region rankings, the Utes come in at No. 3 behind perennial national powerhouses Stanford and UCLA, respectively. Utah is ranked ahead of, in order, TCU, Washington State, California, Washington, BYU, Arizona State and USC.
In the other nationally recognized polls, Utah checks in at listed at No. 18 in the SoccerTimes.com Coaches Top 25 and No. 19 in the Soccer America rankings. Additionally, the Utes are now among the 64 teams listed by Top Drawer Soccer in its season-long running prediction of the NCAA tournament field.
Utah has broken into the top 25 for the first time since 2006, when the team finished No. 23 in the final NSCAA rankings and No. 21 in the SoccerTimes.com poll.
Manning on the Precipice of Coaching Benchmark...
Utah head coach Rich Manning is just one victory shy of the 100-win mark for his career, all of which have come at the helm for Utah. Averaging more than 13.5 wins per year over his previous seven years, Manning looks to become only the second Mountain West Conference coach ever to hit the century mark, joining BYU's Jennifer Rockwood.
Since becoming Utah's head coach in 2002, Manning has led the Utes to five MWC championships, three regular-season titles and two tournament crowns. In five of his previous seven seasons, the Utes have earned an NCAA Tournament berth, including their first ever in his inaugural season.
Scouting This Week's Opponents...
Weber State - The Wildcats enter Wednesday's game with an unbeaten 2-0 record following a 2-1 win against Westminster College and a 1-0 victory over Maine. Jessie Baddley and Nicole Moore have each tallied a goal and an assist to lead the offense, with Moore scoring the game winner against Maine. Abby Robinson accounted for the game winner over Westminster.
Protecting the Wildcat net is goalkeeper Rebecca Ritchie, who has made nine saves in 10 tries for .900 save percentage and a 0.50 goals-against-average.
Weber State is led by sixth-year head coach Tim Crompton, who has amassed a 49-40-12 (.545) record with the Wilcats.
WSU's roster features two former Utes, Alyssa Toomey and Roxanne Tebbs, who transferred to the Wildcats following the 2008 season.
William & Mary - The Tribe currently holds a 1-1 record and will take on BYU Friday before facing the Utes this Sunday. W&M dropped its season opener to Charlotte, 3-0, then bounced back with a 3-1 victory against Monmouth despite heavy rain and sloppy conditions. Mallory Shaffer, Erin Liberatore and Kellie Jenkins all scored against MU, with Shaffer netting the game-winner. Diana Weigel has notched two assists, while Schaffer, Krissy Vornadore and Stephanie Gerow have one each.
Between the pipes is Grace Barnard who has notched 10 saves while allowing four goals for a 2.00 goals-against-average.
The Tribe is coached by the legendary John Daly, now in his 23rd year heading up the program, who holds a career record of 309-124-37 (.697).
Utes Off to a Record-Breaking Pace on Both Sides of the Ball...
Utah's 4-0 record marks its second-best start to a season in school history, trailing only the 2005 squad that began 6-0. Offensively, Utah's 12 goals is also the second-highest total through four games, behind the 1996 squad that scored 14 (including four against a Div. II opponent). On the defensive end, the Utes have surrendered just one opponent tally through the first four games, tying the 2005 team for the fewest goals allowed to start a campaign. Utah's three shutouts also equal the effort of the 2005 squad.
Perfect in the Run of Play...
The Utes have yet to allow a goal in the run of play through four games, with the only opponent tally coming from a penalty kick. Utah returned all four of its defensive starters from 2008 and has 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.
In goal, sophomore Hannah Turpen has started all four games, compiling 10 saves and earning two solo shutouts. Her goals-against-average of 0.25 and save percentage of .909 are at the top of the league rankings. Utah possesses a strong two-deep at goalkeeper, with senior Emalee Rogers backing up Turpen. She came in to play the last 22 minutes of the UVU game and made two saves of her own to secure the combined shutout.
Threatening From Everywhere...
Utah has now scored 12 goals on the year with nine different players finding the back of the net. The Utes have had offensive success from all over the field, evidenced by the following goal breakdown by position: forward (6), attacking midfield (3), center back (2) and holding midfield (1). Utah has gotten multiple goals from two players, while seven others have lit up the scoreboard once.
Isleib Starting Hot...
Senior midfielder Kelly Isleib leads the Utes and ranks second in the Mountain West Conference with three goals and two assists for eight points. Isleib has netted a goal in each game so far, including the game-winning strike against No. 19 Santa Clara last Friday. Both of her assists came 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 halfway to tying her 2008 total of six goals.
A three-time All-MWC selection, including two first-team appointments, Isleib is already making a case for conference Player of the Year and All-America honors.
Welcome Back Redshirts!...
Redshirt senior forward Jen Christoffers and redshirt sophomore forward Erin Dalley, who both sat out last year with knee injuries, each scored against Cal Poly to record their first goals of the season and their first since 2007. Christoffers now has a goal and two assists on the year. Dalley's goal marked her first points of the campaign after missing the first two games of this year with another minor injury.
Utah Picks Up First Ranked Win Since 2007...
With the 1-0 victory against No. 19-ranked Santa Clara last Friday, Utah registered its first win over a ranked opponent since beating No. 16 BYU in Provo, 1-0, in October of 2007. It was the Utes' first victory over a ranked opponent at home since defeating No. 15 BYU, 1-0, in October of 2006.
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 four 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 all four matches, while forwards Natalie Young and Monica Okapal have appeared twice.
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 four wins to open the season:
"I think our team gained a lot of confidence after finsihing last season on a high note and we were feeling positive going into this season. We have started off with four good results, which has reinforced that confidence and the fact that we have a good team here. Our group has built a strong self belief and laid the foundation to have a good season."
On the team's defensive efforts, claiming three shutouts:
"Overall our strong defense has mostly been the result of our commitment to defending and very good chemistry in the back. They have brought good intensity in each game and I think havin that attitude on defense is the first step. In addition, we have been smart in our individual defending and in covering for each other out on the field."
On cracking the Soccer America Top 25:
"Our goal is always to be the best and being ranked is the first step towards that, so in that sense it is nice to be recognized. I think our performances and results thus far are deserving, and I think it's also a function of playing a tough schedule. That being said, it's a long season and it's just starting, so we have a way to go yet. We just have to keep building on this."
On the challenges of facing Weber State and William & Mary:
"Weber has had a lot of success over the last few years and I have a lot of respect for what they've done and the type of soccer they play. They are tough, intense, physical and they play with a lot of confidence. When you throw in the factor of being a local in-state derby game and all girls know each other, Wednesday should be a very intense game.
"We don't know a lot about this year's William and Mary team, however they are one of the traditional powers in women's soccer. John Daly is one of finest coaches in the country, So I'm sure it will be another great challenge."
UTAH SOCCER FANS - Have you checked out the new Utah Soccer fan club, the Crimson Kicks? For more information on the Crimson Kicks or to purchase your Utah Soccer season tickets, visit www.utahtickets.com or ask about it at the Ute Field box office on game day.
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