Ute Rally Comes Up Short vs. UA, 3-2

Thursday, October 19

Salt Lake City, Utah

7:00 PM

University of Utah

5-8-2, 0-6-1

Arizona

7-4-3, 4-2-1

Team	1	2	Final F
Arizona	3	0	3
Utah	0	2	2

10/19/2017 10:26 PM | Soccer

Box Score Final Box

Borges and Skolmoski score late vs. 'Cats

SALT LAKE CITY - Utah Soccer's spirited second-half rally came up just short as Arizona held on for a 3-2 win on Thursday evening. Goals from Lulu Borges and Hailey Skolmoski were not enough got the Utes to overcome three goals in the first 18 minutes by the 'Cats.

"The team fought back and played a very good second half," head coach Rich manning said. "We put Arizona's defense under a lot of pressure but in the end it was not enough. Clearly, we did not start the game the way we wanted to and being consistent is something we continue to work on. We will get back on the field and practice so we are prepared for ASU on Sunday."

Arizona unleased a blistering attack to start the game, scoring just 16 seconds into the game off a shot from Charlotte Brascia. After a pair of Utah chances, Jill Aguilera netted her second of the season in just the fourth minute to double the UA lead.

Aguilera turned creator on the third goal, dribbling across the field before slotting a pass to Cali Crisler for her first of the season and a 3-0 lead for the 'Cats.

Finding themselves in a big hole, Utah started to create a couple more chances. Holly Daugirda had a shot saved by Lainey Burdett and the UA keeper denied a header from Tavia Leachman from a corner kick and another by Paola van der Veen

Haylee Cacciacarne closed the half with two good tries, firing high and then heading wide from a Borges corner.

In the second stanza, Van der Ven forced a save from Burdett and Kristin Fairbairn missed a try wide for the Utes before Carly Nelson stopped Aguilera at the other end. Van der Veen and Eden Jacobsen continued to be pests in the midfield and create opportunities for Utah, unfortunately, the end product was lacking.

Cacciacarne, Natalie Vukic, Jacobsen and Van der Veen all had sights at goal during a 10-minute stretch but Burdett was up to the task, stopping every try.

Utah's breakthrough occurred in the 77^th minute when Van der Veen hammered a free kick that met the head of Borges and sailed into the back of the net. It was the first goal of Borges' career.

With the Utes chasing goals, the game became stretched and Nelson was called upon to make two big saves, one on Crisler and the other on Hannah Clifford, to keep the glimmer of hope alive.

The persistence paid off in the 86^th minute when Skolmoski collected a pass from Vukic and lofted a shot that hit off the underside of the cross bar and carried over the line to create some late=game drama.

The last chance fell to the Utes after an Arizona foul created a free-kick situation. Van der Veen struck the ball just over the goal and the final seconds ticked away.

Utah is back in action on Sunday at 2 p.m. vs. Arizona State. The Utes will welcome back all alumnae to cap Hall of Fame Weekend and also recognize our Team IMPACT player, Auriana Christensen.

Blue ribbons will be handed out to those in attendance to support Christensen in her fight against fanconi anemia.