Utah Soccer Succumbs to Cal State Fullerton, 3-1

Sunday, August 30

Ute Field

1:00 PM

University of Utah

2-1-1

Cal State Fullerton

4-0-0

Cal State Fullerton

Utah

Utah Soccer Succumbs to Cal State Fullerton, 3-1

8/30/2015 12:00 AM | Soccer

Box Score

Aug. 30, 2015

Final Stats | Photo Gallery

SALT LAKE CITY - Utah soccer received a goal from senior Kaycee Buckley but it was not enough this afternoon as the Utes fell to Cal State Fullerton, 3-1.

The Utes dropped their first game of the season (2-1-1) while the two-time defending Big West champion Titans remained perfect at 4-0-0.

"Our team gave a great effort today," head coach Rich Manning said. "I was proud of the way we fought back after falling behind. We scored a goal and created some chances that would have tied it up."

Max Flom had the first shot of the game before Fullerton responded with a pair, testing Lindsey Luke in the Ute goal.

Paola van der Veen and Baylee Nielsen tested CSF goalkeeper Jennifer Stuart around the half-hour mark but neither found the back of the net. Van der Veen recorded another shot while Katie Rogers missed wide with Utah's final chance of the half.

Shots were even after a scoreless first stanza but the Titans held a 7-0 advantage on corner kicks.

Van der Veen continued to pester the Titans in the second half with her third shot of the game while Luke denied Rebecca Wilson, Christina Burkenroad and Alba Barrios.

Fullerton found the net in the 67th minute as Burkenroad picked up her fourth goal of the season off a cross from Barrios. A defensive breakdown created a breakaway in the 70th minute and the Titans doubled their lead through Wilson.

Utah ratcheted up the pressure when a corner kick created four scoring chances. Taylor Slattery, van der Veen and Mariah Elmer all had shots blocked by CSF defenders before Slattery's second effort was eventually held by Stuart.

In the 76th minute, Utah finally got its goal as Buckley collected a deflected pass from Slattery and went high to beat the goalkeeper. It was her first of the season and sixth of her career.

The Utes continued to press with Slattery having another try blocked right off the ensuing kick-off. Megan Trabert had a header saved before nodding just over in the 83rd minute. Van der Veen had one last glimpse at goal with her header saved in the 86th minute. Utah finished with 15 shots in the contest as opposed to 12 for the Titans.

The final goal was scored by Wilson after a giveaway created a 1v1 situation. She scored her second of the game, giving her and Burkenroad, two NSCAA all-region forwards for the Titans, nine goals in four games this season.

"Every game poses different challenges," Manning added. "Credit to Fullerton. They are a very good team and painted a picture we had not seen yet this season. We will learn from this and get back after it next Friday."

Utah now travels to Provo to play at No. 11 BYU on Friday evening. Kick-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.