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Thursday, October 26
Salt Lake City, UT
6:00 PM
University of Utah
vs
Arizona State
Back at Home, Utah Soccer Ready to Roll Against Arizona
10/24/2023 4:06 PM | Soccer
Utes look to build late season momentum with back-to-back home fixtures
SALT LAKE CITY – Through 17 fixtures, the University of Utah women's soccer team has played nearly twice as many road matches as home contests, but the Utes are now preparing to conclude their 2023 regular season schedule with three consecutive home games, starting with a pair of matchups at Ute Field against their conference foes from The Grand Canyon State.
The Utes' first action of the week will take place on Thursday, when they're scheduled to host the Arizona State Sun Devils at 6 p.m, followed on Sunday by a 12 p.m. meeting with the Arizona Wildcats.
Game Day Promotions
Thursday's festivities will begin at 5 p.m. with Trunk or Treat in the parking lot outside Ute Field and The Muss as well as Utah student-athletes handing out candy. Fans in Halloween costumes will be able to attend the match free of charge. It will also be Greek Night at Ute Field and the first 500 students will receive free koozies, with the chapter that wins the night's competition receiving free pit vipers and a plaque as well.
Sunday's tilt will serve as Pink Night, with the Utes donning pink uniforms and fans encouraged to wear pink in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The first 200 fans will receive free pink Utah Soccer shirts. Utah will also honor community heroes by allowing active duty military and retired veterans, first responders, health care workers and their families in for free.
Scouting Arizona State
The Sun Devils have made their presence felt this season with an impressive early run, not tasting defeat until their tenth match against Texas Tech on Sept. 10. Their 5-2-1 record in the PAC-12 is punctuated by a 1-0 victory over No. 11 USC. However, since conference play has begun, ASU has suffered two losses against No. 3 Stanford on Sept. 28 and No. 2 UCLA on Oct. 22.
A total of 11 different players have scored for the Sun Devils this season, and amidst this varied offensive lineup, midfielder Enasia Colon stands out, leading the team with nine goals. The sophomore from Florida has been a consistent threat, accumulating 41 shots, nearly half of which have been on target. Colon's 2023 highlights included a brace against PAC-12 counterpart Oregon State on Sept. 22 in a 2-0 ASU triumph.
Playing a crucial role in the Sun Devil defense is keeper Pauline Nelles, a sophomore from Germany. Nelles tallied 69 saves through 17 contests, with a season-high nine saves in ASU's most recent loss, which came at the hands of UCLA. Only conceding nine total goals on the season, she has produced a save percentage of .885.
All Time Against Arizona State
The Utes have met the Sun Devils in 11 previous matches, with Utah holding a 4-3 edge with four draws. Their first interaction in 2011 produced the first victory for the Utes, however, the Sun Devils collected each of the next two encounters. Of their four draws, three stemmed from intense double overtime faceoffs in 2016, 2017, and 2019. The Utes last emerged victorious over the Sun Devils in 2020 in a one-score clean sheet.
Last Time Against Arizona State
In their most recent standoff in Tempe, Utah held its ground against ASU, largely thanks to goalkeeper Kasey Wardle's five key saves. While both teams had scoring opportunities, the match ended in a hard-fought 0-0 draw, yielding Wardle's second consecutive clean sheet.
Scouting Arizona
Arizona had a rocky start to the season, not collecting a victory until their fourth match against Northern Arizona on Aug. 27. Once conference play began, the Wildcats posted an impressive 3-0 win over Oregon, but have struggled to find victory over PAC-12 foes since. After a tough loss to No. 2 UCLA, Arizona held their ground against No. 11 USC, posting a 1-1 draw on Oct. 22.
Of eight individual players that have scored for the Wildcats, leading the team with eight goals is senior forward Nicole Dallin, who doubles the total of Arizona's second-highest scorer. Dallin has racked up 45 shots, of which 24 were on target, producing a shot-on-goal percentage mark of .533. She cataloged a goal in five consecutive games to start the season and has contributed a score in each Arizona victory on the year.
In front of the net for the Wildcats is graduate student Hope Hisey, who has logged 90 minutes in 15-of-16 matches. Facing 14 shots, Hisey posted a season-high six saves in Arizona's most recent match against USC on Oct. 22. She is responsible for four clean sheets, two of which were conference matchups, and has produced a save percentage of .691.
All Time Against Arizona
Through 17 previous matches, Utah possesses a 9-7 edge over Arizona with just one tie. The first two matchups between the Utes and Wildcats in 2000 and 2001 both resulted in strong victories for Utah by identical 4-1 margins. Facing off twice in 2005, Arizona found success over Utah with two single-score victories. The Utes were last victorious over the Wildcats in 2022, posting a 2-1 scoreline at home.
Last Time Against Arizona
In their last matchup, Arizona struck first with an early first half goal. Taliana Kaufusi supplied a swift answer just six minutes later and, after the half, Utah seized initiative and quickly went on the attack. The pressure paid off with a 54th minute header by Maryn Granger, assisted by a corner from Madeline Vergura. The Utes held out for the remaining 36 minutes to secure a 2-1 victory.
Katie Kan't Be Stopped
Katie O'Kane continues to put together a fantastic 2023 season and she netted her eighth goal on Sunday at Washington State, the most by a Ute in a single season since Paola van der Veen also tallied eight scores in 2017. That total has O'Kane tied for fourth in the conference in goals and she's sharing seventh in the league in points and sixth in shots. Her average of 1.67 points per match in conference ranks second in the league and she was also named Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week on Oct. 2 after posting a hat trick against Oregon.
Wardle Won't Budge
Kasey Wardle has guarded the Utah net to the tune of a .791 save percentage in 2023, the fifth-best mark in the Pac-12. She is also tied for fourth in the league in total saves with 68.
Penalty Kickers
The Utes have earned seven penalty kicks so far in 2023, the most by a Utah team in a single season in program history. Utah's previous high was six, which they set in 2008. The only team that has taken more PKs so far in 2023 is UCLA with eight.
Bullock's Early Breakthrough
Kelly Bullock put the Utes on the board in the third minute in what became a 5-0 trouncing of Utah Valley on Aug. 30. Bullock's score at the 2:21 mark goes down as the program's earliest goal since Natalie Vukic's tally 40 seconds into a match against Utah State in 2017.
First Half Fireworks
Utah's attack was also responsible for three first period tallies in their rout of the Wolverines. Those three first half scores represented their highest total in the opening 45 minutes since they scored four times in the first half against North Dakota State on Aug. 27, 2017.
Ring the Bella
Bella Woods tallied Utah's first goal of the season in the team's Aug. 17 meeting with N.C. State. That made her the first Utah freshman to register the program's season-opening score since Erin Dalley in 2007. Woods also picked up an assist in the Utes' win over College of Charleston.
NCAA Tournament History
The Utes are aiming to reach the NCAA Tournament for the ninth time in school history and the first time since 2019. Utah put together its best postseason finish in 2016, when they forged a path all the way to the Sweet 16.
By The Numbers
The list of players back in the fold for Hideki Nakada's club includes just about all of the team's statistical leaders from 2022. Taliana Kaufusi, who piled up a team-high six goals, is back for her senior campaign, while assist leader Ryann Cull has returned after collecting four helpers a season ago. Kaufusi also led the squad in shots in 2022 with 41, followed by fellow returners Katie O'Kane, who racked up 28, and Courtney Brown, who posted 26.
In goal, all four of Utah's keepers, Evelyn Vitali, Kasey Wardle, Megan Quiggle and Taylor Prigge, are back for another season. No one on the roster collected more saves than Vitali's 48 in 2022, while Wardle crafted a 0.70 goals against average. Utah's keepers combined to record seven shutouts a season ago.
Senior Six
Utah's six-person senior class is comprised of Courtney Brown, Brooke Hale, Katie O'Kane, Taliana Kaufusi, Megan Quiggle and Ragan Vanschalkwyk. This group has combined to take the field in over 200 matches for the Utes and Brown is the one player remaining from the 2019 squad that reached the NCAA Tournament.
New Utes
Utah's 2023 roster includes seven new faces and that list of newcomers is comprised of freshmen Kennedy Schoennauer, Lilliah Blum, Bella Woods, Rylan Park, Mia Becarevic and Izzy Smith and sophomore transfer Alex Schoenstadt.
Woods, Becarevic and Smith were all part of an Alta High School squad that made a run to the state playoffs in 2022, while Schoennauer helped her squad capture the CCA Division II Championship, Blum was named her conference's player of the year and Park was an all-league selection.
Schoenstadt played her freshman season with Ole Miss and helped the Rebels achieve a winning record, as well as record nine clean sheets.
Pac-12 Preseason Coaches Poll
The Pac-12 released its preseason coaches poll on Aug. 14 and the UCLA Bruins garnered nine first place votes and landed in the top spot in the poll. The Utes were ranked 10th.
Up Next
The Utes will return from Washington to prepare to tangle with Arizona State on Oct. 26 at Ute Field.
FOLLOW THE UTES!
Fans can follow along on social media (Twitter: @UtahWSoccer | Instagram: @UtahWSoccer | Facebook: Facebook.com/Utahwsoccer).
The Utes' first action of the week will take place on Thursday, when they're scheduled to host the Arizona State Sun Devils at 6 p.m, followed on Sunday by a 12 p.m. meeting with the Arizona Wildcats.
| THURSDAY'S MATCHUP Date | Time: Thursday, Oct. 26 | 6:00 p.m. Utah (5-5-5) at Arizona State (10-3-4) Location: Salt Lake City | Ute Field Live Stats: Click Here Live Stream: Click Here Twitter Updates: @UtahWSoccer |
SUNDAY'S MATCHUP Date | Time: Sunday, Oct. 29 | 12:00 p.m. Utah (5-5-5) at Arizona (8-5-1) Location: Salt Lake City | Ute Field Live Stats: Click Here Live Stream: Click Here Twitter Updates: @UtahWSoccer |
Game Day Promotions
Thursday's festivities will begin at 5 p.m. with Trunk or Treat in the parking lot outside Ute Field and The Muss as well as Utah student-athletes handing out candy. Fans in Halloween costumes will be able to attend the match free of charge. It will also be Greek Night at Ute Field and the first 500 students will receive free koozies, with the chapter that wins the night's competition receiving free pit vipers and a plaque as well.
Sunday's tilt will serve as Pink Night, with the Utes donning pink uniforms and fans encouraged to wear pink in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The first 200 fans will receive free pink Utah Soccer shirts. Utah will also honor community heroes by allowing active duty military and retired veterans, first responders, health care workers and their families in for free.
Scouting Arizona State
The Sun Devils have made their presence felt this season with an impressive early run, not tasting defeat until their tenth match against Texas Tech on Sept. 10. Their 5-2-1 record in the PAC-12 is punctuated by a 1-0 victory over No. 11 USC. However, since conference play has begun, ASU has suffered two losses against No. 3 Stanford on Sept. 28 and No. 2 UCLA on Oct. 22.
A total of 11 different players have scored for the Sun Devils this season, and amidst this varied offensive lineup, midfielder Enasia Colon stands out, leading the team with nine goals. The sophomore from Florida has been a consistent threat, accumulating 41 shots, nearly half of which have been on target. Colon's 2023 highlights included a brace against PAC-12 counterpart Oregon State on Sept. 22 in a 2-0 ASU triumph.
Playing a crucial role in the Sun Devil defense is keeper Pauline Nelles, a sophomore from Germany. Nelles tallied 69 saves through 17 contests, with a season-high nine saves in ASU's most recent loss, which came at the hands of UCLA. Only conceding nine total goals on the season, she has produced a save percentage of .885.
All Time Against Arizona State
The Utes have met the Sun Devils in 11 previous matches, with Utah holding a 4-3 edge with four draws. Their first interaction in 2011 produced the first victory for the Utes, however, the Sun Devils collected each of the next two encounters. Of their four draws, three stemmed from intense double overtime faceoffs in 2016, 2017, and 2019. The Utes last emerged victorious over the Sun Devils in 2020 in a one-score clean sheet.
Last Time Against Arizona State
In their most recent standoff in Tempe, Utah held its ground against ASU, largely thanks to goalkeeper Kasey Wardle's five key saves. While both teams had scoring opportunities, the match ended in a hard-fought 0-0 draw, yielding Wardle's second consecutive clean sheet.
Scouting Arizona
Arizona had a rocky start to the season, not collecting a victory until their fourth match against Northern Arizona on Aug. 27. Once conference play began, the Wildcats posted an impressive 3-0 win over Oregon, but have struggled to find victory over PAC-12 foes since. After a tough loss to No. 2 UCLA, Arizona held their ground against No. 11 USC, posting a 1-1 draw on Oct. 22.
Of eight individual players that have scored for the Wildcats, leading the team with eight goals is senior forward Nicole Dallin, who doubles the total of Arizona's second-highest scorer. Dallin has racked up 45 shots, of which 24 were on target, producing a shot-on-goal percentage mark of .533. She cataloged a goal in five consecutive games to start the season and has contributed a score in each Arizona victory on the year.
In front of the net for the Wildcats is graduate student Hope Hisey, who has logged 90 minutes in 15-of-16 matches. Facing 14 shots, Hisey posted a season-high six saves in Arizona's most recent match against USC on Oct. 22. She is responsible for four clean sheets, two of which were conference matchups, and has produced a save percentage of .691.
All Time Against Arizona
Through 17 previous matches, Utah possesses a 9-7 edge over Arizona with just one tie. The first two matchups between the Utes and Wildcats in 2000 and 2001 both resulted in strong victories for Utah by identical 4-1 margins. Facing off twice in 2005, Arizona found success over Utah with two single-score victories. The Utes were last victorious over the Wildcats in 2022, posting a 2-1 scoreline at home.
Last Time Against Arizona
In their last matchup, Arizona struck first with an early first half goal. Taliana Kaufusi supplied a swift answer just six minutes later and, after the half, Utah seized initiative and quickly went on the attack. The pressure paid off with a 54th minute header by Maryn Granger, assisted by a corner from Madeline Vergura. The Utes held out for the remaining 36 minutes to secure a 2-1 victory.
Katie Kan't Be Stopped
Katie O'Kane continues to put together a fantastic 2023 season and she netted her eighth goal on Sunday at Washington State, the most by a Ute in a single season since Paola van der Veen also tallied eight scores in 2017. That total has O'Kane tied for fourth in the conference in goals and she's sharing seventh in the league in points and sixth in shots. Her average of 1.67 points per match in conference ranks second in the league and she was also named Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week on Oct. 2 after posting a hat trick against Oregon.
Wardle Won't Budge
Kasey Wardle has guarded the Utah net to the tune of a .791 save percentage in 2023, the fifth-best mark in the Pac-12. She is also tied for fourth in the league in total saves with 68.
Penalty Kickers
The Utes have earned seven penalty kicks so far in 2023, the most by a Utah team in a single season in program history. Utah's previous high was six, which they set in 2008. The only team that has taken more PKs so far in 2023 is UCLA with eight.
Bullock's Early Breakthrough
Kelly Bullock put the Utes on the board in the third minute in what became a 5-0 trouncing of Utah Valley on Aug. 30. Bullock's score at the 2:21 mark goes down as the program's earliest goal since Natalie Vukic's tally 40 seconds into a match against Utah State in 2017.
First Half Fireworks
Utah's attack was also responsible for three first period tallies in their rout of the Wolverines. Those three first half scores represented their highest total in the opening 45 minutes since they scored four times in the first half against North Dakota State on Aug. 27, 2017.
Ring the Bella
Bella Woods tallied Utah's first goal of the season in the team's Aug. 17 meeting with N.C. State. That made her the first Utah freshman to register the program's season-opening score since Erin Dalley in 2007. Woods also picked up an assist in the Utes' win over College of Charleston.
NCAA Tournament History
The Utes are aiming to reach the NCAA Tournament for the ninth time in school history and the first time since 2019. Utah put together its best postseason finish in 2016, when they forged a path all the way to the Sweet 16.
By The Numbers
The list of players back in the fold for Hideki Nakada's club includes just about all of the team's statistical leaders from 2022. Taliana Kaufusi, who piled up a team-high six goals, is back for her senior campaign, while assist leader Ryann Cull has returned after collecting four helpers a season ago. Kaufusi also led the squad in shots in 2022 with 41, followed by fellow returners Katie O'Kane, who racked up 28, and Courtney Brown, who posted 26.
In goal, all four of Utah's keepers, Evelyn Vitali, Kasey Wardle, Megan Quiggle and Taylor Prigge, are back for another season. No one on the roster collected more saves than Vitali's 48 in 2022, while Wardle crafted a 0.70 goals against average. Utah's keepers combined to record seven shutouts a season ago.
Senior Six
Utah's six-person senior class is comprised of Courtney Brown, Brooke Hale, Katie O'Kane, Taliana Kaufusi, Megan Quiggle and Ragan Vanschalkwyk. This group has combined to take the field in over 200 matches for the Utes and Brown is the one player remaining from the 2019 squad that reached the NCAA Tournament.
New Utes
Utah's 2023 roster includes seven new faces and that list of newcomers is comprised of freshmen Kennedy Schoennauer, Lilliah Blum, Bella Woods, Rylan Park, Mia Becarevic and Izzy Smith and sophomore transfer Alex Schoenstadt.
Woods, Becarevic and Smith were all part of an Alta High School squad that made a run to the state playoffs in 2022, while Schoennauer helped her squad capture the CCA Division II Championship, Blum was named her conference's player of the year and Park was an all-league selection.
Schoenstadt played her freshman season with Ole Miss and helped the Rebels achieve a winning record, as well as record nine clean sheets.
Pac-12 Preseason Coaches Poll
The Pac-12 released its preseason coaches poll on Aug. 14 and the UCLA Bruins garnered nine first place votes and landed in the top spot in the poll. The Utes were ranked 10th.
Up Next
The Utes will return from Washington to prepare to tangle with Arizona State on Oct. 26 at Ute Field.
FOLLOW THE UTES!
Fans can follow along on social media (Twitter: @UtahWSoccer | Instagram: @UtahWSoccer | Facebook: Facebook.com/Utahwsoccer).
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