Utes Down Boise State, 3-1

Sunday, September 30

Salt Lake City, Utah

1:00 PM

University of Utah

Boise State

9/30/2007 12:00 AM | Soccer

Sept. 30, 2007

Box Score

SALT LAKE CITY - Two of the top five scorers in NCAA Division I women's soccer squared off at Ute Field Sunday afternoon. Both University of Utah junior Adele Letro (Davis, Calif.) or Boise State freshman Shannon Saxton lived up to their scoring reputations.

Saxton came into the contest ranked No. 2 in the nation in goals per game, while Letro was No. 5. Both Saxton and Letro found the back of the net. But Letro had more help from her teammates and Utah (6-2-2) came away with a 3-1, non-conference win over the Boise State (4-4-1). With the victory, Utah remained unbeaten in its last seven contests.

Saxton got the scoring started less than 10 minutes into the contest. The Broncos' first offensive push was a long pass from Kaylea Perenon to Saxton, who got behind the Ute defense. Saxton ripped one from the top of the box, past Utah goalkeeper Lynzee Lee (Kalispell, Mont.) to give Boise State a quick, 1-0 advantage. It was Saxton's 11th goal of the year.

But the Broncos' lead was short-lived. Seven minutes later, Ute sophomore Kelly Isleib (Park City, Utah) dropped a pass into the box. Boise State goalkeeper Jennifer Burns couldn't control the ball. Meanwhile, Utah freshman Erin Dalley (Centerville, Utah) got to the ball behind Burns and tapped it in to tie the contest at 1-1.

"We got off to a slow start and really needed to develop a rhythm," said Isleib. "Once we were able to start winning some balls off goal kicks it seemed to change our momentum."

The contest wasn't tied for long, either. Letro got into the act less than three minutes later, giving Utah (6-2-2) a 2-1 lead on her 12th goal of the season. Isleib had an assist once again, pushing a beautiful through ball to Letro, who got around the BSU keeper for an easy one from point-blank range.

"Our forwards are starting to make some great runs at the net," said Isleib. "When they do that it makes it easy for me to hit them and that's what happened today."

Utah put the contest on ice early in the second half. In the 52nd minute, Boise State saw its throw-in controlled by Ute freshman Morgan Skeen (Coto de Caza, Calif.). She got a quick pass to junior Katy Reineke (Salt Lake City). After a couple dribbles, Reineke hit a left-footed bender from near the top of the box, beating Burns just inside the right post. Reineke's sixth goal of the season put the Utes on top 3-1.

"It was unfortunate that we fell behind early, but it was good to see our girls come back and show some fight today," said Utah head coach Rich Manning.

Meanwhile, the Ute defense held Saxton and the Broncos in check for much of the second half. Boise State could only muster one shot in the final 45 minutes of play.

"I'm pleased with the possession game we had today," Manning said. "It seemed like we were able to control the ball for a good portion of the game."

Utah is in action again Tuesday at Utah Valley State. Kickoff is slated for 4 p.m. in Orem.

-UU-