Thursday, August 14
Spokane, WA
8 p.m.
University of Utah
1-0-0, 0-0-0
2
at
1
Gonzaga
0-1-0, 0-0-0
| Team | 1 | 2 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Utah | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Gonzaga | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Players Mentioned
Forward
/ Soccer
Goalkeeper
/ Soccer
Forward
/ Soccer
Midfielder
/ SoccerTeam Stats
UTA
GON
Goals
2
1
Shots
18
11
Shots on Goal
7
3
Saves
2
5
Corners
4
3
Fouls
9
9
Scoring Plays
Shila Rasoul (1)
Assisted By: Katelyn Rigg , Samantha Snorsky
GOAL by GON Rasoul, Shila Assist by Rigg, Katelyn and Snorsky, Samantha.
52:27
Julia Oka (1)
Assisted By: Grace Watkins
GOAL by UTA Oka, Julia Assist by Watkins, Grace.
67:19
Kelly Bullock (1)
Assisted By: Grace Watkins
GOAL by UTA Bullock, Kelly Assist by Watkins, Grace.
80:04
Game Leaders
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
fwd
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
3
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
2
fwd
Shots
4
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Utes Erase Second-Half Deficit in Season Opening Win
8/14/2025 10:54 PM | Soccer
Clutch goals from Oka, Bullock propel Utah past Gonzaga, 2-1
SPOKANE, Wash. – Julia Oka netted a goal in her collegiate debut and it was followed by the fifth game-winning score of Kelly Bullock's career as the University of Utah women's soccer team started its 2025 campaign with a come-from-behind, 2-1 victory over the Gonzaga Bulldogs on Thursday evening at Luger Field in Spokane, Wash.
This goes down as Utah's first triumph in a season opener on the road since 2017 and it's the first time Utah has won back-to-back lid-lifters since 2017 and 2018. The Utes also defeated Gonzaga in their first match of 2024.
"What an incredible comeback win for our Utes tonight," said coach Hideki Nakada. "I'm so proud of our team's resilience and determination to find a way to come out on top in the end.
"We came out strong and dominated the first 45 minutes, but couldn't find the back of the net, which put us in a difficult position in the second half by conceding on a counter. Julia Oka's fantastic strike brought us level and Kelly Bullock, who worked tirelessly all night, was rewarded with the game-winner after a perfect service from Grace Watkins."
The first 45 minutes of the contest saw the Utes in nearly complete control of the pace of play. They outshot their hosts 13-4 and but both teams entered the break scoreless. Unfortunately for the visitors, it was the Bulldogs who broke through in the 53rd minute, when a run down the left side of the pitch ended with a Katelyn Rigg cross and a Shila Rasoul header for a 1-0 lead.
Utah maintained pressure on Gonzaga's defense despite the deficit and, almost exactly 15 minutes later, found an equalizer. Off a Utah throw-in, Watkins evaded a couple of defenders before Oka took possession just outside the 18-yard box. After finding a little space, the Hawaii native launched a left-footed rocket just underneath the crossbar and the Utes had drawn level.
Utah's defense spent the next several minutes fending off attacks from their hosts, including a 74th minute shot off a set piece that was stopped by goalkeeper Erin Gibbs, before Watkins and Bullock collaborated on the game-winner.
It came with less than 10 minutes remaining, when Watkins took a throw from the left sideline, outmaneuvered three Bulldogs and sent a cross into the box for Bullock. The senior forward proceeded to head it over the line for the deciding tally and the Utes held on from there to finish the job.
For Watkins, this was the third multi-assist game of her career, with the most recent one coming in a 2024 Utah win over Weber State.
"We went deep into our bench tonight and every player who stepped on the field made an impact." said Nakada. "This was a true team win and a great way for our program to open the season on a high note."
Next Up
The Utes will return to The Beehive State on Monday, when they'll visit Utah Valley for a 7 p.m. fixture.
FOLLOW THE UTES!
Fans can follow along on social media (Twitter: @UtahWSoccer | Instagram: @UtahWSoccer | Facebook: Facebook.com/Utahwsoccer).
This goes down as Utah's first triumph in a season opener on the road since 2017 and it's the first time Utah has won back-to-back lid-lifters since 2017 and 2018. The Utes also defeated Gonzaga in their first match of 2024.
"What an incredible comeback win for our Utes tonight," said coach Hideki Nakada. "I'm so proud of our team's resilience and determination to find a way to come out on top in the end.
"We came out strong and dominated the first 45 minutes, but couldn't find the back of the net, which put us in a difficult position in the second half by conceding on a counter. Julia Oka's fantastic strike brought us level and Kelly Bullock, who worked tirelessly all night, was rewarded with the game-winner after a perfect service from Grace Watkins."
The first 45 minutes of the contest saw the Utes in nearly complete control of the pace of play. They outshot their hosts 13-4 and but both teams entered the break scoreless. Unfortunately for the visitors, it was the Bulldogs who broke through in the 53rd minute, when a run down the left side of the pitch ended with a Katelyn Rigg cross and a Shila Rasoul header for a 1-0 lead.
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— Utah Women's Soccer (@UtahWSoccer) August 15, 2025
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Utah maintained pressure on Gonzaga's defense despite the deficit and, almost exactly 15 minutes later, found an equalizer. Off a Utah throw-in, Watkins evaded a couple of defenders before Oka took possession just outside the 18-yard box. After finding a little space, the Hawaii native launched a left-footed rocket just underneath the crossbar and the Utes had drawn level.
Utah's defense spent the next several minutes fending off attacks from their hosts, including a 74th minute shot off a set piece that was stopped by goalkeeper Erin Gibbs, before Watkins and Bullock collaborated on the game-winner.
GW ?? KB ?? GWG#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/kpOXE7V3Nj
— Utah Women's Soccer (@UtahWSoccer) August 15, 2025
It came with less than 10 minutes remaining, when Watkins took a throw from the left sideline, outmaneuvered three Bulldogs and sent a cross into the box for Bullock. The senior forward proceeded to head it over the line for the deciding tally and the Utes held on from there to finish the job.
For Watkins, this was the third multi-assist game of her career, with the most recent one coming in a 2024 Utah win over Weber State.
"We went deep into our bench tonight and every player who stepped on the field made an impact." said Nakada. "This was a true team win and a great way for our program to open the season on a high note."
Next Up
The Utes will return to The Beehive State on Monday, when they'll visit Utah Valley for a 7 p.m. fixture.
FOLLOW THE UTES!
Fans can follow along on social media (Twitter: @UtahWSoccer | Instagram: @UtahWSoccer | Facebook: Facebook.com/Utahwsoccer).
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