Utah Soccer Ties ASU in Pac-12 Opener, 2-2

Friday, September 27

Tempe, Ariz.

3:00 PM

University of Utah

5-3-2, 0-0-1

Arizona State

6-2-2, 0-0-1

Utah

Arizona St.

Photo by: Steve C. Wilson

9/27/2019 5:31 PM | Soccer

Box Score Utah 2 ASU 2

Late Gwerder PK gets Utes road point

TEMPE, Ariz. – A late penalty by Aleea Gwerder ensured Utah Soccer earned a point on the road in the Pac-12 opener this afternoon at Arizona State.

The senior stepped up to convert the equalizer in the 76^th minute after an ASU defender was called for a handball offense on a shot by Courtney Talbot.

"I think it was big for Aleea because this is where she suffered the injury that ended her season last year," head coach Rich Manning said. "The goal brought things full circle for me," Gwerder added. "It just marked the end of the recovery and I can fully move forward."

Utah earned the breakthrough off some slick play between Kaitlyn Conley, Holly Daugirda and Talbot. With her back to goal in the midfield area, Conley laid it off for Daugirda who burst past her defender to the end line. She drove to goal and found a streaking Talbot who poked it in at the near post in the 16^th minute.

Conley ?? Daugirda ?? Talbot

1-0 UTES!!!#GoUtes ???? pic.twitter.com/EzOUpvGTsP
— Utah Women's Soccer (@UtahWSoccer) September 27, 2019

Eight minutes later, ASU levelled matters as Alexia Delgado struck for the Sun Devils. The Utah offense ran through Talbot for the remainder of the half as the freshman tallied three shots.

In the second stanza, the Utes looked like the fresher side, creating a handful of scoring chances. Hailey Stodden had two shots saved as Daugirda and Kristin Fairbairn also took aim at Giulia Cascapera.

"It is a tribute to the physical conditioning and mindset of the players," Manning stated. "This is one of the deepest teams we have ever had and we have a bunch of players that play well and contribute depending on the style of the game and the moments. The needs today were fresh legs, people who could defend well and create chances."

"I think it shows how much strength we have," Gwerder said. "We keep our legs fresh and we know we are not going to back down from any team because we have excellent depth this season."

ASU would take the lead in the 63^rd minute when some miscommunication allowed Marleen Schimmer in on goal for a 2-1 score line.

Utah had an amazing chance to pull level right from the ensuing kick-off as Daugirda came down and smacked the near post with an effort.

After Gwerder brought the Utes even, Talbot and Anna Escobedo had looks at a possible winner. Stodden was denied again and Talbot probably had the best chance, heading one just over the bar in the 8^th minute.

In overtime, the Utes continued to press the issue through Daugirda, Ireland Dunn and Fairbairn. The last chance came to Haylee Cacciacarne, but her header was right at the keeper in the waning seconds.

"I thought we kept pushing," Manning said. "When we went behind, we did not waver and kept working hard. After we got the goal from Aleea, I really thought we would get the winner. We have confidence from last season and that positive energy shows in the team. Our attitude has been great and we could have grabbed a win with some different bounces."

Utah finished the contest with 19 shots, 10 on frame. The reigning Pac-12 Goalkeeper of the Week, Carly Nelson, made four saves. ASU entered tonight's contest with one of the top 10 scoring offenses in the country at 2 .89 goals per game.

Utah is now unbeaten in its last five games against ASU (2-0-3).

Utah plays its first Pac-12 home games next weekend against Oregon State (Thursday) and Oregon (Sunday).