LOGAN, Utah — The University of Utah women’s soccer team (0-3-1) fell at Utah State (5-0-0) by 1-0 Friday at Bell Field in Logan.
After more than 84 minutes of a scoreless game, Utah State broke through as Mari Miyashiro put away a rebounded ball following two very good saves from Ute senior goalkeeper Hannah Turpen.
After Utah State won a free kick just outside the Utah penalty box, Kendra Pemberton stepped up and drilled a knuckling shot at Turpen. After Turpen made the initial save, Chelsie Sperry one-timed the rebound back at the goal, but Turpen made a second stop from nearly point-blank range. That rebound fell in front of Miyashiro, who buried it for the game’s only goal.
For the fourth consecutive game, Utah hit the goal frame with a shot that could have drastically changed the outcome as, for the third time, sophomore forward Jen Ericson was denied by the goal post. The Utes also had a second-half ball that stopped rolling inches from the goal line and was cleared away by a scrambling Aggie defender. The Utes are still looking for their first goal of the season.
Turpen, who finished the game with six saves, also made a point-blank stop in the first half as USU’s Jade Tarver got on the end of a cross but couldn’t get past Turpen. Her counterpart for Utah State, Molli Merrill, made three saves and earned her second consecutive shutout.
Total shots went 14-7 in favor of the Aggies, with shots on goal going 7-3. Corner kicks were 2-1 for Utah, while fouls were whistled 14-9 against Utah State.
Utah is back in action Sunday, Sept. 4, as the team returns to Ute Field for another in-state match-up against Utah Valley. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m.
This story is an official publication of UtahUtes.com