Utah Soccer Shuts Down Nevada, 2-0

Friday, September 13

Reno, Nev.

7:30 PM

University of Utah

4-3-0, 0-0-0

Nevada

1-5-0, 0-0-0

Team	1	2	Final F
Utah	1	1	2
Nevada	0	0	0

Photo by: Steve C. Wilson

9/13/2019 10:37 PM | Soccer

Box Score Utah 2 Nevada 0

RENO, Nev. – Holly Daugirda and Aleea Gwerder netted goals to cap a 2-0 road win at Nevada on Friday evening.

"We got an early goal, created a bunch of chances and really controlled the game," head coach Rich Manning said. "After spending three of the first four weeks on the road, we have a lot of positives to come home to."

"We are starting to figure out each other's style and playing really well together," Gwerder said. "We are pressing as a team and dropping off as a team. That commitment to communication has had an impact on our success."

Utah took a very early lead on Holly Daugirda's second goal of the season. Courtney Talbot played a lovely through ball for Hailey Stodden and the sophomore pulled it back to the middle of the penalty area. Daugirda hit a one-timer low to the far post for a 1-0 lead in the 13^th minute.

The Utes continued to create chances with Makayla Christensen and Ireland Dunn missing the target. Nevada needed a double save to keep Tavia Leachman and Haley Farrar out in the 27^th minute.

Utah created a slew of chances in the opening moments of the second half. An immediate corner created an opportunity for Daugirda. Kendal Stovall denied Talbot and Brooklyn James before keeping Daugirda out again in the 70^th minute.

The senior was the driving force offensively for the Utes, forcing another save from the Nevada keeper in the 82^nd minute and then getting fouled in the 88^th to set up the situation for the game's second goal.

In a scene similar to last weekend, Utah earned a free kick right on the edge of the penalty area, a little left of center. Gwerder drilled her attempt low to the far right corner and connected on her first goal of the season to seal the result.

Defensively, Carly Nelson made three saves and the team locked down a fourth shutout of the season.

"Tavia, Haylee Cacciacarne and Lulu Borges controlled the game," Manning added. "With those three on the inside and Aleea, Payton McBride and Brooklyn on the outside, our defense played higher up the field and dictated tempo."

"Our forwards have been applying pressure so our job is to settle and distribute," Gwerder stated. "We are not necessarily trying to counter attack but just keep the other team in its own end."

This was Utah's first trip to Reno in four meetings with the Wolf Pack. Utah is now 90-27-13 against teams from the Mountain West Conference, where it played from 1999-2011, 43-19-7 away from home.

Utah returns home for a match on Friday vs. Butler. Kick-off is scheduled for 5 p.m. and can be seen live on the Pac-12 Network