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University of Utah
1-0-0
4
vs
1
South Dakota State
0-2-0
1
2
F
South Dakota State
1
0
1
Utah
2
2
4
Utah Starts Season with 4-1 Victory
8/20/2017 3:01 PM | Soccer
SALT LAKE CITY - No. 20 Utah Soccer started its 2017 season with an impressive 4-1 victory over South Dakota State this afternoon. Hailey Skolmoski started and ended the scoring, sandwiching a pair of amazing strikes by Eden Jacobsen and Paola van der Veen.
"It was a great opening win for us," head coach Rich Manning said. "It took us some time to get used to the game's speed and energy and we paid a price with an early goal. I was impressed with how we responded. We solved the challenges that South Dakota State presented and worked our way back into the game. It was important to get wide in the attack and when we were able to do that, things turned around."
"The key for us was getting in a groove and creating better movement" Skolmoski said. "This was our first game so we need to come out with better energy and focus on Thursday. In the end, we're obviously happy because we got the win and four goals."
Utah started a little sluggish and conceded within the first 10 minutes of the contest as Leah Manuleleua got on the end of a cross and roofed it for a 1-0 lead.
The first offensive foray by the Utes resulted in an equalizer. Tatum Thornton, making her first collegiate start, sent in a long cross from the right side of the field and Skolmoski was able to send it toward the goal. She then corralled the rebound and tapped it in for the tying goal.
Within four minutes, Utah had the lead as Janie Kearl played it in the middle to Jacobsen. After a quick move to get a little separation, the junior rifled a shot into the upper left corner of the goal for a 2-1 Ute advantage.
Utah killed the game off in the first five minutes of the second stanza, getting two more outstanding goals. Aleea Gwerder sent a cross from the left side and Van der Veen swung her leg out, connecting on a wonderful volley for a 3-1 Ute lead. It was the first goal for the Dutch native after being limited last season with an injury.
A minute later, Haylee Cacciacarne fed Skolmoski, who then dribbled forward and sent a shot along the ground that found the bottom left corner of the net. For Skolmoski, it was the 16th goal of her career and for Cacciacarne, it was her first collegiate assist.
Carly Nelson picked up the win in goal with four saves to her credit. The sophomore helped ensure victory in a sixth-straight home opener for the Utes.
"We scored four fantastic goals and got stronger as the game went along," Manning added "It is so rewarding to see some of our returning players like Natalie Kump, Kristin Fairbairn and Po {van der Veen] who were all coming off significant injuries and have worked hard to get back. We also had some freshmen get their first taste of action as well."
Utah is back in action for MUSS Night at Ute Field, Thursday at 7:30 p.m. vs. Utah State. You can catch the live stream of the contest via UtahUtes.com
"It was a great opening win for us," head coach Rich Manning said. "It took us some time to get used to the game's speed and energy and we paid a price with an early goal. I was impressed with how we responded. We solved the challenges that South Dakota State presented and worked our way back into the game. It was important to get wide in the attack and when we were able to do that, things turned around."
"The key for us was getting in a groove and creating better movement" Skolmoski said. "This was our first game so we need to come out with better energy and focus on Thursday. In the end, we're obviously happy because we got the win and four goals."
Utah started a little sluggish and conceded within the first 10 minutes of the contest as Leah Manuleleua got on the end of a cross and roofed it for a 1-0 lead.
The first offensive foray by the Utes resulted in an equalizer. Tatum Thornton, making her first collegiate start, sent in a long cross from the right side of the field and Skolmoski was able to send it toward the goal. She then corralled the rebound and tapped it in for the tying goal.
Within four minutes, Utah had the lead as Janie Kearl played it in the middle to Jacobsen. After a quick move to get a little separation, the junior rifled a shot into the upper left corner of the goal for a 2-1 Ute advantage.
Utah killed the game off in the first five minutes of the second stanza, getting two more outstanding goals. Aleea Gwerder sent a cross from the left side and Van der Veen swung her leg out, connecting on a wonderful volley for a 3-1 Ute lead. It was the first goal for the Dutch native after being limited last season with an injury.
A minute later, Haylee Cacciacarne fed Skolmoski, who then dribbled forward and sent a shot along the ground that found the bottom left corner of the net. For Skolmoski, it was the 16th goal of her career and for Cacciacarne, it was her first collegiate assist.
Carly Nelson picked up the win in goal with four saves to her credit. The sophomore helped ensure victory in a sixth-straight home opener for the Utes.
"We scored four fantastic goals and got stronger as the game went along," Manning added "It is so rewarding to see some of our returning players like Natalie Kump, Kristin Fairbairn and Po {van der Veen] who were all coming off significant injuries and have worked hard to get back. We also had some freshmen get their first taste of action as well."
Utah is back in action for MUSS Night at Ute Field, Thursday at 7:30 p.m. vs. Utah State. You can catch the live stream of the contest via UtahUtes.com
Team Stats
SDSU
UTAH
Goals
1
4
Shots
5
22
Shots on Goal
5
13
Saves
9
4
Corners
0
8
Fouls
5
9
Scoring Plays
Leah Manuleleua (1)
Assisted By: Nicole Hatcher
cross from left side, hit into roof of n
8:54
Hailey Skolmoski (1)
Assisted By: Tatum Thornton , Haylee Cacciacarne
cross from right, bounced off GK and reb
15:59
Eden Jacobsen (1)
Assisted By: Janie Kearl
pass to middle, dribbled left and fired
20:09
Paola Van der Veen (1)
Assisted By: Aleea Gwerder , Holly Daugirda
cross from left volleyed into right corn
49:30
Hailey Skolmoski (2)
Assisted By: Haylee Cacciacarne , Natalee Wells
GOAL by UTAH Hailey Skolmoski, Assist by Haylee Cacciacarne and Natalee Wells, goal number 2 for season.
50:39
Game Leaders
Players
Shots
4
SOG
3
Goals
2
Assists
0
Shots
4
SOG
3
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
0
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
2
Players Mentioned
Midfielder
/ Soccer
Goalkeeper
/ SoccerForward
/ Soccer
Defender
/ SoccerMidfielder
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