WOMEN'S SOCCER:
The Utes needed less than three minutes to score its first goal of the 2009 campaign, en route to shutting out Utah Valley by a 6-0 score Friday night at Ute Field. It was Utah's largest offensive output since beating Utah Valley by the same score in 2007 in Orem. The first goal of the game, and the eventual game-winner, came two minutes and 20 seconds into the game as sophomore defender Lauren Dudley buried a header off of a corner kick from senior midfielder Kelly Isleib. It was the first goal of Dudley's career.
Utah's second goal came from junior forward Lauren Hair less than five minutes later, who scored from 10 yards out after Isleib slotted her into the penalty box for her second assist of the game. Senior forward Jen Christoffers was also credited with an assist.
After coming out for the second half with a 2-0 lead, Utah made it 3-0 less than three minutes later as Isleib got back on the scoresheet with a goal of her own, hitting a 20-yard shot that skipped over the outstretched goalkeeper. Christoffers had played the ball back to Isleib, earning her second assist of the game.
The Utes made it 4-0 at the 67:08 mark when sophomore forward Chelsea Forbes stung a one-time volley from just inside the penalty box after the UVU netminder had punched away a header attempt by Utah sophomore defender Lauren Porter. Freshman defender Zoe Van Gorder pushed the scoreline to 5-0 in the 83rd minute of play as she charged in to head a corner kick by freshman forward Hanna Terry, putting the ball, the goalkeeper and herself across the goal line.
Sophomore midfielder Kellie Woodfield capped the scoring at 6-0 as she lofted a one-time volley over the UVU keeper from approximately six yards out, finishing off the crossing pass from freshman midfielder Allie Wisner.
Utah's six-goal output was its largest since 2007, when the Utes defeated Utah Valley in Orem by the same score. It was also Utah's first season-opening shutout since 2005 and its first season-opening clean sheet at home since 2002.
Utah will now hit the road to face Cal State Fullerton on Sunday at Titan Stadium. The Utes' next home game will be Friday against No. 22-ranked Santa Clara. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m. MT.