Upcoming Event: Soccer versus BYU on October 30, 2025 at 7 p.m.
7 p.m.
Soccer
vs BYU
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The University of Utah Athletics
Sunday, October 26
Salt Lake City, Utah
1 p.m.
University of Utah
0
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Kansas
Players Mentioned
Midfielder
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Midfielder
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Forward
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Defender
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Midfielder
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Midfielder
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Goalkeeper
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Defender
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Forward
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Midfielder
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Midfielder
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Utes Fall on Senior Day
10/26/2025 3:39 PM | Soccer
Gibbs makes five saves, but Kansas scores twice late to seal victory
SALT LAKE CITY - The University of Utah women's soccer team fell to Kansas Jayhawks, 2-0, on Sunday afternoon in Big 12 Conference action at Ute Field.
With just one match left in the 2025 regular season, Utah now sits at 7-9-3 overall and 2-6-2 against Big 12 Conference opponents. Kansas improves to 12-3-3 and 6-3-1 in league play.
Both defenses were in top form in the opening half as the two sides combined for just six shots and only one on goal in the opening 45 minutes. Utah generated the first chance of the day in the eighth minute when Lilliah Blum drew a foul 25 yards from goal to set up a free kick, but Bella Woods' shot was blocked by the wall of Kansas defenders. KU got a similar look on a free kick outside the box in the 24th minute but the shot flew wide of the goal.
Kansas was able to put the first shot on goal in the 40th minute off a corner kick, but Gibbs knocked the ball away for her first save of the afternoon. Defenses won out in the final minutes of the period, keeping the ball largely in the midfield, and the two sides went into the locker room in a scoreless draw.
Gibbs made her second save of the day with a diving stop in the 57th minute to take away the would-be go-ahead goal. She logged her third stop by easily handling a header sent her way in the 65th minute. The senior made another save in the 72nd minute when Kansas sent a header on goal off its sixth corner kick of the day.
Utah put its first shot on target in the 74th minute when Blum found herself in space after a well-placed header by Ali Swensen, but her left-footer was knocked away by the diving keeper. On the counter attack, a handball in the box set up a Kansas penalty kick that got by Gibbs, giving the Jayhawks a 1-0 lead in the 75th minute. Utah threatened with an attack minutes later, but Shannon Davidson's cross was cut out before she could connect with Kelly Bullock.
Kansas was able to extend the lead to 2-0 with a goal in the 83rd minute, leaving Utah without enough time left to mount a comeback.
Next Up
Utah will wrap up the regular season on Thursday, Oct. 30, against BYU. The match is slated to begin at 7 p.m. at Ute Field and will be streamed on ESPN+.
FOLLOW THE UTES!
Fans can follow along on social media (Twitter: @UtahWSoccer | Instagram: @UtahWSoccer | Facebook: Facebook.com/Utahwsoccer), and the official mobile app of Utah Athletics, Utah360 -- download here.
With just one match left in the 2025 regular season, Utah now sits at 7-9-3 overall and 2-6-2 against Big 12 Conference opponents. Kansas improves to 12-3-3 and 6-3-1 in league play.
"We were in a must-win situation today to keep our NCAA tournament hopes alive," said coach Hideki Nakada, "and unfortunately, we came up short. Kansas is an extremely physical team and I thought our players put in an excellent effort to match their intensity, especially in the first 45 minutes. I felt the game would come down to whoever scored first and it's disappointing that it unfolded the way it did."
Next Thursday is our true Senior Day, and we'll do everything we can to send our seniors off on the right note
Erin Gibbs tallied five saves on Senior Day, but the Jayhawks used two goals in the final 15 minutes – including a penalty kick goal after a video review – to pull away late. Kansas led in shots (15-4) and shots on goal (7-1) and held a 9-0 advantage in corner kick opportunities.Both defenses were in top form in the opening half as the two sides combined for just six shots and only one on goal in the opening 45 minutes. Utah generated the first chance of the day in the eighth minute when Lilliah Blum drew a foul 25 yards from goal to set up a free kick, but Bella Woods' shot was blocked by the wall of Kansas defenders. KU got a similar look on a free kick outside the box in the 24th minute but the shot flew wide of the goal.
Kansas was able to put the first shot on goal in the 40th minute off a corner kick, but Gibbs knocked the ball away for her first save of the afternoon. Defenses won out in the final minutes of the period, keeping the ball largely in the midfield, and the two sides went into the locker room in a scoreless draw.
Gibbs made her second save of the day with a diving stop in the 57th minute to take away the would-be go-ahead goal. She logged her third stop by easily handling a header sent her way in the 65th minute. The senior made another save in the 72nd minute when Kansas sent a header on goal off its sixth corner kick of the day.
Utah put its first shot on target in the 74th minute when Blum found herself in space after a well-placed header by Ali Swensen, but her left-footer was knocked away by the diving keeper. On the counter attack, a handball in the box set up a Kansas penalty kick that got by Gibbs, giving the Jayhawks a 1-0 lead in the 75th minute. Utah threatened with an attack minutes later, but Shannon Davidson's cross was cut out before she could connect with Kelly Bullock.
Kansas was able to extend the lead to 2-0 with a goal in the 83rd minute, leaving Utah without enough time left to mount a comeback.
"It's been a season where a lot has gone against us," said Nakada, "many of those things out of our control, and that's tough because so many of these games are decided by one play. Next Thursday is our true Senior Day and we'll do everything we can to send our seniors off on the right note."
Prior to the match, Utah recognized its nine graduating seniors – Erin Gibbs, Brooklyn Blaylock, Alex Schoenstadt, Devi Dudley, Kelly Bullock, Grace Watkins, Ava Hetzel, Ryann Cull and Ali Swensen.Next Up
Utah will wrap up the regular season on Thursday, Oct. 30, against BYU. The match is slated to begin at 7 p.m. at Ute Field and will be streamed on ESPN+.
FOLLOW THE UTES!
Fans can follow along on social media (Twitter: @UtahWSoccer | Instagram: @UtahWSoccer | Facebook: Facebook.com/Utahwsoccer), and the official mobile app of Utah Athletics, Utah360 -- download here.
Utah Soccer's Ryann Cull - ESPN+ Feature
Sunday, October 26
Utah Soccer's Bella Woods - ESPN+ Feature
Thursday, October 23
Utah Soccer's Erin Gibbs - ESPN+ Feature
Thursday, October 16
Utah Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2025 | Soccer's Ashley Mason
Monday, October 13