No. 24 Utah Falls at WSU, 3-0

Sunday, October 1

Pullman, Wash.

12:00 PM

University of Utah

5-4-2, 0-2-1

Washington State

6-3-2, 1-2-0

Utah

Washington State

10/1/2017 1:39 PM | Soccer

Box Score Final Box

PULLMAN, Wash. – No. 24 Utah Soccer fell under the weather and was then dropped at Washington State this afternoon, 3-0.

"I was proud of our effort but the game was decided in each team's 18-yard box," head coach Rich Manning said. "We did not convert our chances and they scored off a couple set pieces. That was the difference in the game. We need to regroup and work on those important areas. I still thought we did a lot of good things today and played with a lot of effort."

With a handful of players dealing with flu-like symptoms, the Utes surrendered a pair of goals to Maegan O'Neill off corner kicks and another to Morgan Weaver.

Holly Daugirda had the best chance for either team in the first 15 minutes, with a try that was deflected wide. WSU eased into the game as Weaver and Chelsea Harkins forced saves from Carly Nelson. After Natalie Vukic missed wide in the 23^rd minute, Nelson made two more stops on Brianna Alger and Jamie Rita.

Utah had two more chances to open the scoring in the first half when Paola van der Veen fired wide before Hailey Skolmoski had an attempt blocked.

The second half started well for the Utes as Skolmoski received a long ball from Aleea Gwerder but unfortunately, fired directly at WSU goalkeeper Ella Dederick. Immediately after, Vukic had a try after dribbling almost the length of the pitch before being blocked. Haylee Cacciacarne's header off the ensuing corner then found the arms of a waiting Dederick.

WSU took the lead in the 49^th minute as O'Neill headed home the first goal of her career of a corner from Maddy Haro.

Despite falling behind, Utah continued to attack with Vukic, Van der Veen, Skolmoski and Max Flom firing wide. Vukic and Flom also forced saves from Dederick as Utah managed nine shots in the opening 13 minutes of the second half.

The Utes continued to struggle with set pieces when O'Neill headed home again in the 66^th minute off another Haro corner to double the Cougar lead. One minute later, WSU made it 3-0 when Weaver volleyed home a cross from Aaqila McLyn for her fifth goal of the season.

Utah Soccer hosts No. 2 Stanford on Thursday for the Power of Pink contest. Kick-off is at 5 p.m. and can be seen live on the Pac-12 Networks.