SALT LAKE CITY - Goals from
Kelly Bullock and
Abby Affleck and some stout second-half defense helped the University of Utah women's soccer team secure the 300th win in program history on Thursday night with a 2-1 win over Utah Tech at Ute Field.
The win was Utah's third at home so far in 2025 and was the Utes' (5-2-1) third over the Trailblazers (3-3-1).
"Good result at home tonight against a tough Utah Tech team," said coach
Hideki Nakada. "I'm glad we were able to score off a corner kick, something we've been working on, and Kelly did a great job pouncing on the second ball. I'm also happy for Abby to get her first goal. She created some real quality chances for us tonight."
Utah finished the evening with a 12-6 shot advantage but the two sides were nearly even in shots on goal, with the Utes holding a 3-2 edge. The home squad was challenged physically by the Trailblazers, as the two sides combined for 16 fouls and three cautions.
The Utes, who entered the match with 53 corner kick opportunities on the season, capitalized on their first of the night. In the 17th minute,
Ryann Cull sent a perfect ball into the box right to
Ava Hetzel, who had her first shot blocked by a defender and second turned away by the keeper. The ball then found the right foot of Bullock, who fired home her third goal of the season to give Utah a 1-0 lead.
Bullock now leads Utah with eight points and is tied for the team lead in goals.
Affleck doubled the Utes' advantage just 13 minutes later.
Reese Kennel cut into the left side of the 18 and sent a ball across the box, finding her fellow freshman who booted it past the keeper. It marked the first collegiate goal for Affleck and the first career assist for Kennel.
Utah Tech was able to get one back before the half, finding the back of the net off a free kick in the 40th minute, but Utah went into the break with a 2-1 advantage.
Both teams turned up the defensive intensity to start the second half, holding each other without a shot on goal for the first 23 minutes of the final period. Utah threatened off another corner kick, but Hetzel's attempt found the body of a Utah Tech defender and bounced away.
Utah Tech thought it had found the equalizer in the 69th minute on a corner of its own, but video review showed that stellar positioning and defense from
Brooklyn Blaylock had kept the ball just outside of the goal line and maintained the Utah advantage.
With time dwindling down, Utah Tech upped its offensive pressure, but the Utah back line held firm. The Utes were able maintain possession in their attacking half for the final five minutes and secure the monumental win.
Next Up
The Utes will wrap up the non-conference slate at home on Sunday when they host Oregon State at 1 p.m. The match will be streamed on ESPN+.
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Fans can follow along on social media (Twitter: @UtahWSoccer | Instagram: @UtahWSoccer | Facebook: Facebook.com/Utahwsoccer), and the official mobile app of Utah Athletics, Utah360 -- download
here.