Utes Fall at OSU, 2-1

Sunday, October 29

Corvallis, Ore.

12:00 PM

University of Utah

5-10-3, 0-8-2Pac-12

Oregon State

5-10-3, 2-7-1Pac-12

Utah

Oregon State

10/29/2017 3:17 PM | Soccer

Box Score Final Box

Hixson nets first collegiate goal for Utah

CORVALLIS, Ore. - Utah Soccer fell in its final road game of the season this afternoon, 2-1 at Oregon State. Despite dominating play and a first collegiate goal from Jessica Hixson, the Utes allowed a pair of goals from set pieces and dropped to defeat.

"I am really proud of the effort," head coach Rich Manning said. "We played an aggressive, assertive game right from the start. We created a lot of opportunities (27 shots, nine on goal), scored a pretty goal and were unlucky to not get a result."

Hixson's goal arrived on the hour, three minutes after OSU had taken a lead. The freshman was able to tap home after nifty foot work along the end line by Eden Jacobsen.

"I saw Eden and I just screamed for the ball because I was so wide open," Hixson said. "All the defenders were focused on her because she made the move toward goal. I can't even explain how it feels to score but it was an exciting moment."

The game started brightly for Utah as Paola van der Veen had an attempt blocked with Jacobsen's rebound attempt sailing over the bar right from kickoff.

Hailey Skolmoski and Natalie Vukic had shots before Carly Nelson made her first save, denying Natalie Higgins in the 20^th minute. After Ella Ballstaedt missed a try high, Nelson was called to stop Higgins again.

Utah controlled play the rest of the half with Skolmoski missing from a corner kick, Max Flom going wide, and Van der Veen skewing three chances.

In the second half, Utah thought it had the breakthrough when Holly Daugirda hit the post, Hixson's follow up was blocked and Vukic's third attempt was held by Bella Geist.

After Nelson stopped Allison Pantuso, OSU was able to take the lead when a flick on from a free kick was smacked into the top of the goal by Higgins.

From the ensuing kickoff, Skolmoski had a try blocked and Madi Clarkson's rebound effort was stopped by Geist. After another Skolmoski shot was held, a short free kick allowed the junior to collect the ball and pass to Jacobsen. The midfielder cut through the Beaver defense and slid a perfect cross to a waiting Hixson for the equalizer.

The Utes piled on the pressure following the goal, creating a multitude of chances in the next 15 minutes of action. Skolmoski missed wide and was denied off a corner immediately after the Utah goal and Van der Veen had three chances, two that were blocked by OSU defenders.

A corner caused problems for the Beavers in the 67^th minute as Haylee Cacciacarne's initial try was beaten away and Jacobsen's rebound was also kept out of the goal. Ireland Dunn also had a try from a corner, but skimmed it high.

After OSU scored from an Emma Jones free kick in the 77th minute, Jacobsen had the final chance for the Utes in the waning seconds, but it was not to be,

Utah will play its final game of the season and honor its seniors on Friday at 1 p.m. vs. Colorado