Utah Soccer Beaten at No. 9 BYU, 2-0

Friday, September 4

Provo, Utah

7:00 PM

University of Utah

2-2-1

No. 9 BYU

4-0-0

Utah

BYU

9/4/2015 12:00 AM | Soccer

Box Score

Sept. 4, 2015

Final Stats | Photo Gallery

PROVO -- Utah soccer fought valiantly but was unable to find the net in a 2-0 loss at No. 9 BYU on Friday evening in the annual Deseret First Duel. The Utes fell to 2-2-1 on the season while the Cougars improved to 4-0-0.

Utah goalkeeper Lindsey Luke was the first player to get involved in the action, stopping BYU's Elena Mederios in the sixth minute. At the other end, Kaycee Buckley let loose with a rocket that was tipped over the bar by Rachel Boaz for a corner two minutes later.

The Utah midfielder remained active as she wriggled free and had a shot blocked in the 11th minute. Mariah Elmer fired wide left just a few seconds later.

BYU came down the other way, earned a corner, and was able to score the first goal of the game. Freshman Madie Siddoway notched her first collegiate goal on a looping shot to the far left corner that left Luke with no chance.

Elmer took advantage of a lackadaisical clearance and fired high in the 17th minute and minutes later was denied after a nice give-and-go with Natalie Vukic.

A soft foul allowed the Cougars to set up a free-kick that would result in their second goal. Nadia Gomes put a low shot that deflected around the wall in the 22nd minute for a 2-0 advantage.

Utah created a great scoring opportunity minutes later as Janie Kearl was stopped by Boaz. The Utes maintained possession and Eden Jacobsen, making her first start, had s shot skid narrowly wide.

Vukic weaved her way through the BYU defense on the half-hour and let go of a wicked shot that Boaz deflected out for a corner. On the ensuing try, Katie Rogers got her head to the ball but it sailed just over the bar.

Utah continued to keep BYU in its own defensive end as Jacobsen worked another corner with a near-post try. Once again, the Utes came within a whisker of scoring when Taylor Slattery's header landed on the top of the net.

In the second half, it took both teams 15 minutes to register a single shot as Buckley fizzed one right at Boaz. Two minutes later, Slattery had an attempt blocked but the forward collected her rebound before skewing one wide.

With 12 minutes left in regulation, Buckley found herself with a little space at the top of the penalty area before letting a shot fly toward Boaz. A few minutes later, Hailey Skolmoski sent one skidding across the face of goal that no one could get their boot to.

Skolmoski moved forward again and worked another nice 1-2 with Mariah Elmer to create a dangerous free-kick opportunity in the 84th minute. The ensuing try did not materialize until Vukic gathered the re-entry and fired wide. Skolmoski had another great chance in the final minute but Boaz was able to collect the attempt.

After 24 combined shots in the first stanza, the teams managed 12 over the final 45 minutes, with Utah holding the edge, 9-4. The Utes also finished with a 20-17 advantage in shots and prevailed on corners, 4-3. Luke finished with a season-high eight saves in goal for Utah.

A crowd of 5,620 were in attendance, the fourth year in a row that the rivalry set a new crowd record at the ground of the home team.

Utah's next game is on Sunday at 1 p.m. PT at San Diego.