Utes Blank Instate Rival Utah State, 3-2

Wednesday, October 2

Salt Lake City

4:00 PM

University of Utah

Utah St

10/2/2002 12:00 AM | Soccer

Oct. 2, 2002

Box Score

SALT LAKE CITY - The University of Utah women's soccer team improves their impressive season record to 6-1-2 and earns bragging rights as they dowsed Utah State, 3-2, Wednesday on Ute Field.

The Utes ran away with the victory after scores by senior Katie Tate and junior midfielder Amber Brower. Tate's first goal came early in the first half, 32:46 in, off an assist from Brower. Brower increased the Utes lead at the 45:45 mark to 2-0 with a five-yard blast that sailed pass USU's goalkeeper Megan Mills.

The Aggies answered back in the second half with two decisive goals coming from Chanel Blaquiere and Megan Tanner. Blaquiere put Utah State on the board as she connected off a corner kick at the 52:07 mark. Later in the second half, Tanner blazed one pass Utes' keeper Courtney Hills-McBeth on a free kick attempt to tie the game at 2-2.

Tate sparked the Utes offensive attack once again by scoring her second goal of the game. Tate's 20-yard game deciding goal came off an assist from teammate Bobbie Benegas to put the Utes up 3-2 before the end of regulation.

"It was one of those shots you wouldn't ever make again," said Tate. "This was a good game for us and we did what we needed to win. We need to stay focused consistently throughout the game and we didn't do that today."

The Utes' defense pressured Utah State, allowing only eight shots throughout the contest. Utah ended up outshoting the Aggies by a margin of 15-8. Hills-McBeth captured the victory at the goalkeeper position and tallied four saves for the Utes.

"It was good to see us get a win after our loss to Saint Mary's," remarked head coach Rich Manning. "We didn't have a lot of concentration and intensity today. We weren't putting in the energy and Utah State did a great job. I love this rivalry and it is good to see USU having such a great season."

Utah will continue in action this week as they face the Wildcats of Weber State on Oct. 5 at 1:00 p.m. in Ogden, Utah.