Utah Soccer Drops Game at Oregon, 1-0

Friday, October 10

Eugene, Ore.

5:00 PM

University of Utah

(7-3-3, 0-3-1)

Oregon

(6-4-2, 2-1-1)

Team	1	2	Final F
Utah	0	0	0
Oregon	1	0	1

10/10/2014 12:00 AM | Soccer

Box Score

Oct. 10, 2014 Final Stats

EUGENE, Ore. - Utah soccer allowed an early goal and could not find the equalizer in a 1-0 loss at Oregon on Friday evening. The Utes drop to 7-3-3 on the season and are 0-3-1 in Pac-12 play.

Oregon started the brighter of the two, seeing Marlo Sweatman test Lindsey Luke in the 14th minute. Thirty-five seconds later, the Ducks took the lead through Bri Pugh when she scored her second goal of the season.

After the goal, Utah hopped into action. Mariah Elmer forced a save from Abby Steele in the 25th minute and Katie Taylor fired high.

At the other end, Luke kept Utah close by denying Pugh and Riley Smith on the counter prior to halftime. Luke finished the contest with six saves after making three more stops in the second half.

"We talked at halftime about how we needed to bring more energy," head coach Rich Manning said. "There were no tactical adjustments. We just had to pick things up. I think in the second half, they put forth a tremendous effort and did a very good job of increasing the energy level and pushing the tempo."

Chasing a goal in the second half, Taylor continued to create chances, having a try blocked in the 54th minute.

Aubrey Gibb missed wide after an Avery Jenkins corner kick one minute later and then Taylor had a header and subsequent rebound stopped by Steele in the 62nd.

In the 87th minute, Mariah Elmer came streaking down the middle of the field and Jill Robison was able to hold off her defender and make a cross to the freshman. However, an Oregon defender got there at the last moment and forced Elmer's tap to go wide.

With the seconds ticking down, Utah had one final chance. Katie Rigby had a shot blocked on the doorstep by a Duck defender and an on-rushing Taylor Slattery missed high as time expired.

"We had a handful of good and great chances in the second half," Manning added. "If we keep playing with that type of commitment and energy we'll have success."

Utah out-shot Oregon for the contest, 9-8 but Oregon had more shots on goal (7-3) and corner-kick opportunities (4-3).

Utah plays its fourth-straight road game in Pac-12 play on Sunday against Oregon State at 12 p.m. PT.