Utes Drop Physical Contest to No. 21 Colorado

Thursday, October 16

Salt Lake City, Utah

7 p.m.

University of Utah

7-6-3, 2-3-2

Colorado

11-2-2, 5-1-1

Colorado

Utah

10/16/2025 9:36 PM | Soccer

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Comeback bid comes up just short in 2-1 loss

SALT LAKE CITY - Despite the first goal of the season from Callie Blaylock, the University of Utah women's soccer team fell to the No. 21 Colorado Buffaloes, 2-1, in front of 613 fans at Ute Field on Thursday night.

The Utes fall to 7-6-3 and 2-3-2 in Big 12 Conference play with four matches remaining in league play, while Colorado improves to 11-2-2 and 5-1-1 against Big 12 competition.

"Considering the number of opportunities we created tonight," said coach Hideki Nakada, "it's really disappointing to walk away without a result. In the end, it came down to them capitalizing on their limited chances while we managed to convert only one of our 22 shots. I'm pleased with the way we're playing overall; we just need to be a bit sharper in front of goal. We're looking forward to a great opportunity we'll have on Sunday at Baylor."

Colorado opened the scoring early, finding netting in the eighth minute. Erin Gibbs was able to get a hand on the right-footed shot, but the ball still found its way inside the near post. It marked the first goal allowed by the Utah defense in two weeks, having blanked opponents for the prior 245 minutes of action. Utah now has two streaks of 200-plus scoreless minutes this season.

The Buffaloes threatened again in the 13th minute, but an aggressive sliding save by Gibbs turned away a would-be goal and the senior keeper came away with a threatening cross seconds later to keep the score frozen. Bella Woods, who had scored back-to-back game-winning goals entering the night, had a pair of strong chances from outside the box in the 18th minute, but the first was blocked by a CU defender and the second wrapped around the outside of the far post. The 1-0 score still stood when the halftime whistle sounded.

Both teams came out of the break and attacked the net. Gibbs knocked away a dangerous shot just 30 seconds into the period, and Kelly Bullock's shot on the counterattack was turned away by the Colorado keeper in turn to set up a Utah corner kick. A second scoring chance from Bullock crept just outside the post to keep the 1-0 scoreline intact. In the 55th minute, Abby Affleck sent a right-footer in on goal from outside the box, but a diving denial by the Colorado keeper once again kept Utah off the scoreboard.

Action stayed in the midfield for the next 10 minutes until Blaylock made a run up the left side of the field, sending a shot on goal but into the hands of the keeper. Colorado was able to get the ball into its attacking half, and after Gibbs made a diving stop, the Buffaloes regained possession and were able to score their second of the night.

Utah was able to respond in the 77th minute when Ryann Cull sent a cross into the box that found Blaylock, who hammered home her first goal of the year to cut the deficit in half. Cull's assist marked her second of the campaign and 10th of her career.

The Utes continued to put pressure on the CU defense as time wound down. A header from Woods in the 78th minute nearly tied the game, but video review confirmed that the Colorado keeper got her hand on it before the ball crossed the goal line. In the 85th minute, Utah earned a corner kick but could not convert as Blaylock's header flew wide. A 90th minute attempt from Bullock at top of box was blocked, leaving the Utes with no more time to complete the comeback.

Utah led in shots (22-10) and shots on goal (7-6), but Colorado held the advantage in saves (6-4). Utah generated five corner kicks on the night, all of which came in the second half.

Next Up
Utah will face its second ranked opponent in a row next time out, traveling to Texas to take on No. 10 Baylor on Sunday, Oct. 19. The match is set to kick off in Waco at noon MT on ESPN+.

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