Utah Soccer Falls at BYU, 4-0

Tuesday, August 23

Provo, Utah

7:00 PM

University of Utah

BYU

8/23/2011 12:00 AM | Soccer

Aug. 23, 2011

Box Score

PROVO, Utah - The University of Utah women's soccer team (0-1-1) fell at BYU (1-0-1) by a 4-0 score Tuesday in Provo. All four goals came in the second half after the two teams battled to a 0-0 halftime score.

"I'm pleased with the way we performed overall tonight," said Utah head coach Rich Manning. "We need to have a little more confidence and composure, but we are a battling team. Our school and fans should be proud of this team. We learned some good lessons tonight and I think the future is bright. It was a fantastic experience for us moving forward. We competed and played hard."

Both teams went to the break feeling unlucky to have not scored at least one goal. For the Utes, sophomore forward Jen Ericson beat BYU goalkeeper McKinzie Olson with a right-footed volley from 18 yards but rung it off the crossbar. Freshman Jill Robison, who made her first collegiate start at forward, followed up the effort but sent it sailing over the crossbar. BYU had several attempts clear the Utes' crossbar as well, including a diving header from Carlee Payne.

Utah's luck changed in the 58th minute when senior center back Lauren Dudley, who had already received a yellow card in the first half, was issued a second yellow, thus receiving an automatic red card and leaving the Utes with just 10 players. On the ensuing free kick, Jessica Ringwood drilled a 19-yard shot that hit the bottom of the crossbar just over the outstretched hand of Ute goalkeeper Hannah Turpen and into the net for the game's first tally.

From there the dynamic of the game changed as Utah looked for the equalizer, sending players forward despite being reduced to just 10 players. BYU's second goal came off the foot of Auna Doria in the 65th minute, who received a pass from Lauren Crosby, took a good first touch around her defender and into the box, then hit a well-placed right-footed shot that found it's target, giving the Cougars a 2-0 lead.

The third and fourth goals came from Jaiden Thornock and Niki Fernandes, respectively, both assisted by Jennie Marshall.

Despite the 4-0 score line, head coach Rich Manning was pleased with his team's effort and the experience gained in the game. The Utes started four freshmen, with a total of six freshmen seeing action in the game. Of the 14 players who saw the field, 11 were freshmen and sophomores.

BYU outshot the Utes, 18-3, with shots on goal going 11-0. Corner kicks were 9-1 in favor of the Cougars, while fouls were called 9-7 against the Utes. Turpen made six saves and the Utes were credited with a team save as well.

The Utes play their first home game Sunday, Aug. 28, as Nevada comes to Ute Field for a 1 p.m. MT kickoff. Utah will be without the services of Dudley, who will serve a mandatory one-game suspension after receiving the red card. Senior center back Lauren Porter will also be questionable for the game after leaving the BYU contest with an unspecified knee injury.