SEATTLE – The University of Utah women’s soccer team dropped a 3-1 decision to the Washington Huskies in Pac-12 Conference action on Thursday night at Husky Soccer Stadium in Seattle, Wash.
The Utes now stand at 5-6-5 in 2023 and 1-4-2 in the Pac-12, while the Huskies are 7-5-3 overall and 2-4-1 in the league fixtures.
“This was a tough result to take in a match I felt could’ve easily gone our way,” said head coach Hideki Nakada. “All credit to Washington for making the most out of their opportunities. I felt we had enough control of the game from run of play to take advantage of, but we just weren’t good enough on the ball in the final third to do much with it.”
The Utes started the match by dominating possession through the first 20 minutes, registering multiple shots, including one by Kennedy Schoennauer that was saved in the first minute, but Utah was unable to break through on the scoreboard.
In the 24th minute, a handball by the visitors led to a free kick for the Huskies and Jace Holmes sent a ball into the box that was headed in by Hailey Still to put Washington in the lead.
Utah quickly went to work trying to uncover an equalizer, firing off four shots in just over 10 minutes after Still’s score, but none of those efforts made it on frame. Unfortunately for the away side, it was the Huskies who got on the scoresheet next, courtesy of Riley Brown in the 42nd minute and Washington maintained that 2-0 edge into halftime.
The home team added to their lead not long after the break, capitalizing on another free kick in 56th minute, but the Utes continued fighting, putting three shots on target in the 15 minutes that followed the score before Utah took advantage of a chance in the 79th minute.
It was Kelly Bullock who corralled the ball from Taliana Kaufusi after it was booted across midfield by goalkeeper Evelyn Vitali. Bullock charged toward the Washington goal and her shot from 20 yards out found its way in for her third tally of the season. Unfortunately for the Utes, it would be their only goal of the night, as the Huskies held on for the win.
“It was really disappointing to give up two goals from set pieces knowing that was going to be their most likely way to score coming into this match,” said Nakada, “and we had to be better in those moments, as that was the difference in the end. We will regroup and look to get one back on Sunday.”
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