Utes Discuss Training and Heading to Oregon

Sophomore defender, Morgan Skeen, talks about training this week and the upcoming games at Oregon and Oregon State.





Junior midfielder, Kelly Isleib, talks about playing on the road.

"Lost" Weekend Provides Important Lessons

Last Sunday, we fell to the Georgia Bulldogs, 2-1. It was a tough game to lose as we had fought hard to tie the score and felt like we were pushing for the game winner...only to see the Bulldogs score with just over 4 minutes left...Georgia's first goal came just after half time from a corner kick. Just 3 minutes later, we equalized...Lauren Hair twisted and turned her way around the corner of the defense and slipped a pass across the goal...Kellie Woodfield hustled to retrieve the ball and laid it off for an onrushing Chelsea Forbes, who smashed it home for her first college goal and a 1-1 tie.

We created more good attacks and had some chances to hit home a winner...but the Bulldogs scored from a great cross and header. It was a "body blow"...definitely a painful way to fall. Georgia was a good team and scored a fantastic late goal to knock us out.

Losing the first two home games can be deflating...but provided some important lessons. We created good chances in both games and did not finish...we need to be more aggressive in getting forward and being dangerous. We had some lapses in concentration that cost us...in the middle of periods of good play...so more consistency is needed. We were in two close games late into the second half and were unable to pull out a win. That time of the game...crunch time...is when we have to be most aggressive and lift our play.

Now we head to Oregon to play the Ducks and Beavers...another chance for improvement!

Disappointing Result in Home Opener

We fell in our home opener to Arizona last night, 4-0. Thanks to all the wonderful supporters that came out to cheer for the Utes...we had a great crowd and the Utah Drum Line was fantastic at halftime.

It's always disappointing to fall short, especially at home. But it was probably our best performance of the new season in many ways. We held the ball better in attack and put good pressure on the Arizona team all over the field. After giving up an early goal, we chased the game.
With about ten minutes left and the score still at 1-0, we took out a defender and put in an extra forward to try to equalize. It back fired a bit as we gave up 3 goals in the last 10 minutes, but it was worth the risk and we'll have to keep working on our approach at the end of the game when we need to score.

No rest for the weary as we take on the Georgia Bulldogs tomorrow (Sunday) at 1:00 P.M. at Ute Field. Here's to bouncing back and a better result!

Opening Weekend is Here!

We are fast approaching Labor Day weekend...

And our first home games are upon us...the players were buzzing today at practice and we hope to put on a good performance. These are valuable experiences for our young team and we will be challenged by two good teams. It will be the start of the final season at home for a great group of seniors and we aim to make their last one a success... Amanda Sanchez, Amy Edman, Katy Reineke, Addie Hair and Jen Christoffers.



Friday, 7:30 PM Arizona at Utah

Rush Mayor's Cup night for all players and teams participating in the Mayor's Cup tournament. Free posters and "Meet the Team" autograph for all fans after the game.

Sunday, 1:00 PM Georgia at Utah

Camp Reunion Day and Avalanche Club Day.
We look forward to having all campers come back for a reunion party on Sunday....come and see friends made last summer.
Poster give away...

2008 Captains Bring Leadership, Experience to Young Group

The captains for our 2008 Utah team are (left to right) Emalee Rogers, Danielle Sample, Katy Reineke and Amanda Sanchez.


All have been an integral part of our program since 2005 (Sanchez is a red-shirt senior and joined the group in 2004). They are a talented bunch and have done a great job since early in the summer of welcoming a large group of new players and quickly getting us on the same page as we start a new season. They have been chosen to take on a great deal of responsibility in order to help us reach some lofty goals. It's clear that the players respect these veteran players and we expect they will continue to do a great job.

Overtime Goal Brings 1st win of the Year

It was hot...we were dropping like flies from fatigue and injury...the home team was pressing for a goal...and just when it seemed like things were looking VERY dark...we scored! And the result was a very hard-earned 2-1 Overtime win against a good UNC Greensboro team. It was a great show of character and teamwork. After a fine first half, featuring the first collegiate goal scored by freshman Katie Martinez, the home team really came out fired up for the second period. We struggled to find our game and couldn't keep the ball well...some fundamental mistakes were happening...however, the team never broke and stuck together. It was a great sign of a winning spirit that we hope to bring us a successful season.

You can read all about the dramatic Utah vs. UNC G game by clicking here!

You can also see video highlights of the game by clicking here!

So, what happens after the road trip....well...

3:50 PM (Eastern time)....Game end on Kelly Isleib goal
4:00 PM...team heads to locker room for shower and clean up
4:20 PM...team drives rental vans to gas station to fill up and find some food
4:40 PM...team finds Panera bakery and quickly orders 28 meals
5:40 PM...team arrives at Greensboro airport and check into Delta
6:25 PM...team boards flight to Atlanta...flight is delayed due to rain in Atlanta and sits on runway for 75 minutes
9:10 PM...flight arrives in Atlanta...team rushes down terminal to catch 9:30 PM flight to Salt Lake City
9:30 PM...team barely makes it on board...Lauren Hair and Katie Martinez are last to board as they quickly purchase pizza to go on the way to the plane!
1:15 AM (Eastern...11:15 Mountain time)...plane lands in Salt Lake City
11:45 PM....bags are picked up...some players catch rides with friends/family...others take cab back to campus

Late night return...and, by the way, classes start on Monday morning! Welcome to the first day of school!!

Tough Loss but Good Effort

We lost the first game of the season tonight against the Demon Deacons. It was a tough loss in that we got the game into overtime but couldn't hold on, falling 2-1. Read more about it at our Utah Utes web site here.

We have a very young team right now and each game provides valuable experience. Playing against a very good Wake team will serve us well as we continue to develop and learn. Several freshman players make their debuts tonight....Lauren Porter, Katie Martinez, Chelsea Forbes, Kellie Woodfield, and Anne Shallenberger all played in their first game as a Ute.

We had many others that got some important minutes...Christine Quinn played in just her second game. Emalee Rogers got her second career start. Morgan Skeen only played in eight games last year before injuring her knee. Nicole Cardon and Lauren Hair must feel like grizzled veterans with all of 21 games each under their belts.

The first game of the season can be surprising in that the game is faster and more physical than any practice or scrimmage. Also, there is the communication, team movement and combination play that needs to come together. There is no better way to start that learning process than to test ourselves against a quality team like Wake.

We have a terrific group of players that are united and determined to become an outstanding team. And we are confident that we will improve with each game. The more we play together...the better we will become.

We will stay in Winston-Salem tonight and then head out to Greensboro in the morning for a practice. And get ready for another big game against UNC Greensboro on Sunday.