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Soccer
vs Oregon State
Sunday, September 22
Salt Lake City, Utah
1:00 PM
University of Utah
5-3-1, 0-0-0
1
vs
0
San Diego
4-4-1, 0-0-0
1
2
F
San Diego
0
0
0
Utah
1
0
1
Photo by: Steve C. Wilson
Escobedo’s Goal Helps Utah Soccer Top Toreros
9/22/2019 4:46 PM | Soccer
Utes finish non-conference play at 5-3-1
SALT LAKE CITY - The first goal of Anna Escobedo's career capped a 1-0 win over San Diego and put a nice little bow on the conclusion to non-conference play.
"It feels so good to finally score," Escobedo said. "It has been difficult at times but it is rewarding to know the hard work has paid off. There have been tough days but my teammates have remained so encouraging. The positivity on this team is outstanding and the coaches have helped by putting in extra time with me."
The sophomore from Holladay netted late in the first half off a deft touch from senior Holly Daugirda.
"Holly made an incredible play to set me up," Escobedo added. "I saw the goalkeeper leave the front post and I thought she would dive so I just toe-poked it past her."
At the other end of the field, Utah's defense was making life difficult for the Toreros, limiting them to one shot in the second half. This marked the fourth-straight shutout and fifth in the last six matches for Carly Nelson and the Utah back line.
"Our team put in another gritty defensive performance," head coach Rich Manning said. "I thought we defended well from front to back. We were able to shut down USD's attack and create some opportunities. I am really proud of our team for developing a strong defensive mentality during the non-conference slate."
One of those standouts was Emali Mackinnon, called into duty after some first-half injuries and the warm weather.
"I do whatever I can but I want to make sure my energy is higher than anyone else when I come in the game," Mackinnon said. "I just watch what the upperclassmen are doing and that helps me stay prepared. I ask a ton of questions. I pick Aleea Gwerder's brain because she is the most diverse in terms of positioning and I do not know whether I will be in the center or out wide."
"Our team's depth continues to show each week," Manning added. "We had several players make a strong impact on the game. Anna has been working hard and a was a difference maker. Emali and Lulu Borges, among others, put in quality minutes. It is great to see players stay ready and make a contriubtion."
Utah picked up where it left off on Friday, creating a number of opportunities in the first half. Holly Daugirda had four shots, two on target, while Courtney Talbot managed a pair of tries on goal in the opening half. Mackinnon entered a ripped a rocket that was barely touched over the bar by USD's goalkeeper Amber Michel.
Ireland Dunn turned it on during the second half, creating three scoring chances for the Utes as Kristin Fairbairn also had an opportunity to double the lead. Despite dominating the second half in terms of possession, Utah could not kill off the game. Nelson's fifth and final save in the 88th minute on Kayla Ngai sealed the shutout win.
Utah opens Pac-12 play on Friday at Arizona State. Kick-off is scheduled for 3 p.m. MT and the match can be seen on the Pac-12 Networks.
"It feels so good to finally score," Escobedo said. "It has been difficult at times but it is rewarding to know the hard work has paid off. There have been tough days but my teammates have remained so encouraging. The positivity on this team is outstanding and the coaches have helped by putting in extra time with me."
The sophomore from Holladay netted late in the first half off a deft touch from senior Holly Daugirda.
"Holly made an incredible play to set me up," Escobedo added. "I saw the goalkeeper leave the front post and I thought she would dive so I just toe-poked it past her."
Congrats to @anna__escobedo on her first goal as a UTE!
— Utah Women's Soccer (@UtahWSoccer) September 22, 2019
She scored the game-winner this afternoon as @UtahWSoccer closed the non-conference portion of its schedule with a 1-0 result against San Diego!#GoUtes ???? pic.twitter.com/1AuwgEuCar
At the other end of the field, Utah's defense was making life difficult for the Toreros, limiting them to one shot in the second half. This marked the fourth-straight shutout and fifth in the last six matches for Carly Nelson and the Utah back line.
"Our team put in another gritty defensive performance," head coach Rich Manning said. "I thought we defended well from front to back. We were able to shut down USD's attack and create some opportunities. I am really proud of our team for developing a strong defensive mentality during the non-conference slate."
One of those standouts was Emali Mackinnon, called into duty after some first-half injuries and the warm weather.
"I do whatever I can but I want to make sure my energy is higher than anyone else when I come in the game," Mackinnon said. "I just watch what the upperclassmen are doing and that helps me stay prepared. I ask a ton of questions. I pick Aleea Gwerder's brain because she is the most diverse in terms of positioning and I do not know whether I will be in the center or out wide."
"Our team's depth continues to show each week," Manning added. "We had several players make a strong impact on the game. Anna has been working hard and a was a difference maker. Emali and Lulu Borges, among others, put in quality minutes. It is great to see players stay ready and make a contriubtion."
Utah picked up where it left off on Friday, creating a number of opportunities in the first half. Holly Daugirda had four shots, two on target, while Courtney Talbot managed a pair of tries on goal in the opening half. Mackinnon entered a ripped a rocket that was barely touched over the bar by USD's goalkeeper Amber Michel.
Ireland Dunn turned it on during the second half, creating three scoring chances for the Utes as Kristin Fairbairn also had an opportunity to double the lead. Despite dominating the second half in terms of possession, Utah could not kill off the game. Nelson's fifth and final save in the 88th minute on Kayla Ngai sealed the shutout win.
Utah opens Pac-12 play on Friday at Arizona State. Kick-off is scheduled for 3 p.m. MT and the match can be seen on the Pac-12 Networks.
Team Stats
USD
UTA
Goals
0
1
Shots
6
13
Shots on Goal
5
6
Saves
5
5
Corners
3
5
Fouls
4
3
Scoring Plays
Anna Escobedo (1)
Assisted By: Holly Daugirda
GOAL by UTA Escobedo, Anna Assist by Daugirda, Holly.
42:33
Game Leaders
Players
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
5
SOG
3
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
3
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
Midfielder
/ SoccerMidfielder
/ SoccerForward
/ SoccerForward
/ Soccer
Forward/Midfielder
/ Soccer
Defender
/ Soccer
Defender/Midfielder
/ Soccer
Goalkeeper
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