Bullock helps Utah Soccer Defeat Houston, 1-0

Thursday, October 17

Salt Lake City, UT

7 p.m.

University of Utah

7-5-4, 4-3-2

Houston

4-10-1, 1-8-0

Team	1	2	Final F
Houston	0	0	0
Utah	1	0	1

10/17/2024 11:47 PM | Soccer

Box Score

Kelly Bullock earns a 35th minute goal for a Senior Night win

SALT LAKE CITY – The University of Utah women's soccer program shutout University of Houston for their first home conference win since Sept. 12 against Arizona, with help from junior Kelly Bullock's goal in the 35^th minute, for a 1-0 success at Ute Field on Thursday night.

This outcome bumped the Utes to a 7-5-4 record, with 3-3-2 in conference play and the Cougars to a 4-10-1, 1-7 in Big 12, for the programs' second-ever meeting. Utah and Houston haven't faced off since Aug. 28 of the 2015 season, where the Utes came out with a 4-1 domination at Ute Field.

"I thought we were very good in the first two phases of the field and controlled the majority of the match," said head coach Hideki Nakada.

After a lightning storm delayed the game, the Utes fought through the rain and sleet for an offensive first half. With possession mainly on Houston's side, the Utes racked up four shots in the first half, two on goal.

In the 35^th minute, with a bump from freshman midfielder Katie Callaway, junior forward Kelly Bullock boots in a goal from the 30-yard mark, putting Utah on the board first, 1-0. This goal is Bullock's first goal of the season and the Utes' seventh player this season with a goal notch on their stats.

After the half, Utah and Houston booted it back and forth, the Utes trying to increase the surplus and the Cougars working to close the gap. Neither were successful, but Utah's efforts were consistent, grabbing 12 shots in the second half to Houston's six.

"We should have won more comfortably," said Nakada. "We weren't sharp enough around the box to finish the game."

Three different Utes, sophomore forward Lilliah Blum, graduate forward Taliana Kaufusi and Bullock, had efforts that skimmed the goal posts, but no other scores were added the board.

"But overall, really happy for our team that we were able to get three important points on our Senior Day," said head coach Hideki Nakada. "And we'll look to be better in the box come Sunday against a great Baylor team.

Next Up
The Utes take on the Baylor Bears this Sunday at 1:00 pm at Ute Field for their last home match of the season and for their Breast Cancer Awareness match.

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