Utah Soccer Drops Home Opener to LMU, 2-0

Friday, September 3

Salt Lake City

7:30 PM

University of Utah

Loyola Marymount

9/3/2010 12:00 AM | Soccer

Sept. 3, 2010

Box Score

SALT LAKE CITY - The University of Utah women's soccer team (0-5-0) dropped its home opener to LMU (3-1-0) by a 2-0 score at Ute Field Friday night. The Utes outshot the Lions 25-12 in front of a crowd of 1,001, but were kept off the scoreboard for the fourth straight game.

Both of LMU's goals came in the first half, with Tata Gilmer netting the eventual game winner at the 28:10 mark. The ball was played into the box where it found Julie Gallaudet, who got off a nearly point-blank shot that was saved by Utah junior goalkeeper Hannah Turpen. The deflection fell to Gilmer, who volleyed it home from about six yards out.

The Lions' second strike came just over three minutes later, as Tawni Martino finished off a one-timer in the box after Gallaudet had played it across from the right side, making it 2-0 in the 32nd minute of play.

Turpen did everything she could to keep it close, finishing with a season-high eight saves, including several difficult close-range stops. Her season total stands at 28 for an average of 5.6 saves per game. Her LMU counterpart, Brittany Jagger, finished with 11 saves.

Utah outshot LMU 25-12 in total, but nearly all of the Lions' shots were on frame. The final shots-on-goal tally went 11-10 to the Utes. Corner kicks were also 9-4 in Utah's advantage, while LMU was whistled for 15 fouls to the Utes' six.

Utah is back at home Sunday, Sept. 5, as the Utes host Saint Mary's College at 1 p.m. at Ute Field.

Utah Quotes

Head Coach Rich Manning
Thoughts on the game:
"Once again I was proud of the team and the way our players battled. We played a really strong second half and did a lot of good things. We are playing with so much heart right now but we just aren't finding the net.

"When we gave up the first goal I think the players' spirits dropped a little bit and we struggled playing from behind, but I'm confident we will bounce back. We're fine, I still really like my team, we played a great second half and created a lot of scoring opportunities."

On the team's scoring troubles:
"When things aren't quite going your way, you tend to approach everything with a little less confidence. We took 24 shots tonight, only 11 were on frame, but I know that as we go forward, those shots will go in."

On the play of senior defender Morgan Skeen:
"I thought Morgan had a good game tonight. LMU has some dynamic attackers and she locked them down pretty well. When we get a little healthier and get some players back from injury, we will be able to push her forward into the midfield more and utilize her in some different ways."

On the play of junior goalkeeper Hannah Turpen:
"Hannah is becoming more confident all the time. I see a lot of positives and I am really pleased with her progress."