Alumni Day Re-cap: Tracy takes the High Road

Former all- Mountain West Conference midfielder, Tracy Stratton Garner, made her comeback on Saturday just a couple of months after giving birth to her second son. Here Tracy introduces us to her sons, Jaden, and Cale (the new one). She also takes the high road when asked to give some grief to former Utes Bobbie Benegas Hackenbruck and Maren Harper for not coming to the event.

Alumni Day Re-cap: Brower vs. Brower

Sisters Amber (Brower) Mortenson and Katie Brower share their feelings about having to face off against each other on the day. It appears they can't remember how much difference there is in their ages...Good thing Amber was an accounting major!

Alumni Day Photos

What would an alumni day be without some photos. Here is the group...a lovely bunch of ladies and a heck of a soccer team. We were VERY impressed with the level displayed by the Alums and may even have to set up an alumni vs. alumni match in the near future!








Amber (Brower) Mortenson, Katie Battazzo and Shauna Gurr-Bingham take a break from the action. The three were teammates in 2002, the first year that the Utes made the NCAA tournament.















Here are a few former greats at half-time...left to right...Paola Marsenaro Sanchez, (Esther Imotan is just behind her), Hailey Marsh, Amber (Brower) Mortenson, and Kim (Lloyd) Gunlock with the big smile. In the background, you can see goal keeper Sara Englis, Becky (Moore) Hatch - who is 4 months pregnant! -, and Lindsey Asay-Kimball.















Ali Cerruti, Esther Imotan and Amy (Kofoed) Stover watch the action from the bench.















Melissa Wayman (back from a stint playing in Norway), Staci (Burt) Delaney - former WUSA standout, and Tracey Stratton Garner (with new baby) watch from the bench. If you look closely right behind Melissa, you'll see one of the original Utes from the '95 team, Tara McNeil in the jeans.


















Esther Imotan, Amy (Kofoed) Stover and Jen Williams take in the action from the bench.
In the background, goal keeper Courtney Hills-McBeth (who is 3 months pregnant) relives old times with classmate Shauna Gurr-Bingham.

Utes Defeat Alums 3-2 in Final Spring Outing

The Utes took on the Utes today in an alumni game filled with good soccer and lots of fun. In a 70-minute match, the current team jumped out to a 3-0 lead before a late rally by the former Utes fell just short.

Utah scorers were Erin Dalley (6th minute), Kelly Isleib (20th minute PK), and Katie Brower (45th minute). The former Utes countered with goals from Erin (Pruitt) Kay and Amy (Kofoed) Stover.

More than twenty former Utah Soccer players came back to Ute field. Many joined in the action and some (due to pregnancies) came to watch.


Mondis (Ariazand) Neff
Lynnsey Asay-Kimball
Katie Battazzo
Amber (Brower) Mortenson
Staci (Burt) Delaney
Jacki (Doman) Cameron
Ali Cerruti
Missy Dennis
Sarah Englis
Shauna Gurr-Bingham
Becky (Moore) Hatch
Addie Hawkins
Courtney Hills-McBeth
Esther Imotan
Kari Keddington-Koon
Amy (Kofoed) Stover
Kim (Lloyd) Gunlock
Hailey Marsh
Ashley Mason
Tara McNeil
Erin (Pruitt) Kay
Tracy Stratton Garner
Melissa Wayman
Jen Williams
Carisse Winegar

Current Ute seniors Chelsea Card, Melissa Crespo, Kiley Jones and Paola Marsenaro also made their alumni debuts.
Thanks to everyone for coming out!
More to follow....

Senior Awards Night a Hit; Kiley Wins Presitgious Honor!

Last night was the Crimson Club Hall of Fame & Senior Awards Banquet at the Sheraton Hotel in downtown Salt Lake City. It is one of our favorite events of the year as it is one of the last times that we can get together with the seniors before the chaos of finals and graduation hit.

The room is filled with senior athletes, Utah fans and boosters, coaches and administrators. Mike Lageschulte, the voice of the Utes, was there to host the event. Athletic Director, Dr. Chris Hill, and university president, Michael Young, were also in attendance.

Utah Soccer was well represented as Coach Manning was there with the 4 soccer seniors: Chelsea Card, Melissa Crespo (with mom, Deb Giordano), Kiley Jones and Paola Marsenaro (with husband Pablo Sanchez).

Kiley was honored with the James R. (Bud) Jack Award (for the senior female athlete with the highest cumulative grade point average)...congratulations to her!

The evening was filled with great moments. Utah inducted four new members into its Hall of Fame. Josh Grant (men's basketball), Julie Krommenhoek (women's basketball), Pete Karns (skiing), and Lauda Newlin (track) were all honored for their achievements as Utah athletes (and afterward!). Ms. Newlin was honored posthumously for being a pioneer in women's athletics in the 1920's and 30's. Her son told great stories about his mom high jumping in bloomers and other obstacles that female athletes had to overcome.

There was a video presentation of highlights and "memories" from the seniors of each team at the U. Overall, it was a great night. And, if you noticed that the U on the hill was lit last night, it was in honor of our senior athletes. GREAT JOB, Seniors!

Utes Fall to UVU, Draw with BYU in Provo

Utah soccer continued its spring season Saturday with two outdoor matches held at BYU's campus in Provo. In morning action, the Utes dropped a 4-2 decision to Utah Valley. And, in the afternoon, the Utes played to a 1-1 tie against BYU.

Coach Rich Manning said that the matches are helping greatly in the development of this young team. "We have many new and inexperienced players. And some of our veterans are being asked to play new roles. We are definitely learning some valuable lessons in theses games. For sure, we must defend better as a team. And we also need to handle the big moments of the game better. In the Utah Valley game, we failed miserably in both of these departments. I was pleased that we were able to bounce back in those areas in the BYU game. Both of these team qualities that we want to have require leadership and mental toughness. And we must develop into a tougher team in order to have a successful season in the fall."

In the first game, the Utes started strongly and were rewarded when Katy Reineke and Kelly Isleib set up Erin Dalley in front of goal. Dalley calmly passed the ball into the net for a 1-0 Utah lead in the 7th minute. The Utes looked strong and dominant when the game changed. After a Utah corner in the 17th minute, the Wolverines countered quickly and played a through ball before the Utes could get back and the forward slotted the ball passed Utah goal keeper, Amy Edman for the 1-1 tie. UV took a 2-1 into the half-time break after another goal in the 26th minute.

The lead grew to 3-1 early in the second half with a shot from just outside the penalty area. And the outcome was sealed when a fourh was scored in the 60th minute. Utah kept battling and drew within two in the 74th minute. Kelly Isleib scored from just inside the box after a feed from Erin Dalley. The game ended at 4-2.

The second match against BYU got off to a thrilling start. Lauren Hair hit the post after a nice dribbling run along the left wing in the 7th minute. And Ute 'keeper, Emalee Rogers, was quick off her line to stuff a Cougar through pass just before it was reached by a BYU forward in the 10th minute.

Utah scored first in the 19th minute when Katy Reineke hit one of her now trademark free kicks into the corner of the net from 25 yards out. However, just one minute later, BYU defender Andrea Willis returned the favor when she bulged the net from 20 yards away after a Utah foul.

The game slowed into the second half as both teams tired a bit. Utah played a low pressure defense and prevented any easy chances. Rogers snatched a BYU cross in a crowded penalty area in the 65th minute. And Erin Dalley was stopped by the Cougar goal keeper after getting behind the defense in the 70th. The match ended in a draw.

Team Banquet Night

We held our annual banquet and team awards night at the Joseph Smith building in downtown Salt Lake City. Good food, good company and an original movie (highlight show) by assistant coach, Leslie Keener.

Here is Coach Keener with husband, Jay, as well at Ute soccer trainers, Kristin Schelin and Kai Okitsu.









To the left we see 4 of our freshmen, Lauren Hair, Morgan Skeen , Alyssa Toomey and Erin Dalley, who are roommates in the Sage Point dorms, sharing a moment to take a photo (as if they need another photo together!).











The evening was also a chance to thank our 4 seniors, Paola Marsenaro, Melissa Crespo, Kiley Jones and Chelsea Card, for their service and dedication to our soccer program and for representing the University of Utah so well.
















Paola brought along husband, Pablo Sanchez. Listen to P talk about what's next and how Pablo wants babies...now!!





Below is Chelsea with mom, Sherry, who along with dad, Don, came up from San Clemente, California for the weekend. Sherry reminds Chelsea that soccer is over for now as she must rest those aching knees!



Kiley Jones had her sister, Whitney, and mom, Brooke (also a Utah grad) up from Southern California as well. Here Kiley discusses her Utah career and what might be next...






Melissa Crespo had her mom, Deb Girodano, in town from the Bay Area. Listen to Melissa's thoughts about her last banquet as a Ute player...

New Player Joins the Utes

We announced our recruiting class a couple of months ago and are excited about those players. However, the Utes will have a new player this fall that is an ANIMAL! Check out these skills and be ready to go NUTS watching her this fall!

Pepperdine 1 Utah 0

The Utah soccer team fell to the Pepperdine Waves, 1-0, in their final game at the Toyota College Classic Sunday in Temecula, California. Amanda Rupp scored the lone goal of the game fifteen minutes into the second half and the Waves were able to make it stand up.

The 70-minute game was played with a stiff breeze blowing. The Utes headed into the wind during the first half and had to defend a bit with the conditions. Goal keeper, Emalee Rogers, snuffed out a couple of through passes early and defender, Morgan Skeen, had to clear a loose ball in front of an open net in the 17th minute.

Utah found some rhythm in the latter stages of the half and were unfortunate not to take the lead in the final minute when midfielder Amanda Sanchez hit a beautifully floated through pass over the Pepperdine defense and onto the rushing Kelly Isleib. Isleib tried to chip the bouncing ball over the goal keeper, but her shot floated over the goal.

The Utes began the second half with some excellent attacking play. Forwards Erin Dalley and Lauren Hair hooked up a couple of times, only to see their combination passes go just out of reach. Dalley broke through in the 50th minute, but Waves goal keeper, Kayla Stolte, just beat her to the ball.

The Pepperdine goal came on a counter attack after some good Utah pressure. The Waves cleared a ball out to midfield and, after a scramble, midfielder Joanna Idom found Rupp behind the defense where she slotted it past Rogers. Utah had some pressure in the final minutes but could not find the equalizer. Amy Edman finished the final 20 minutes in the net, succeeding Rogers.

The Utes will be back in action this Saturday, April 12, when they travel to Provo to play in the BYU Outdoor Spring Invitational.
Utah will face Utah Valley at 11:00 A.M. , then finish with a game against BYU at 4:30 P.M.

Utah 3 UCSB 3

The Utah soccer team battled to a 3-3 tie against UC Santa Barbara this afternoon in a spring game held at the Toyota College Classic in Temecula, California. Lauren Hair scored twice and Kelly Isleib tallied once as the Utes clawed to three separate leads, only to have the Gauchos draw even on each occasion. The game marked the first action for the Utes since returning from their trip to Argentina and Uruguay two weeks ago.

Utah scored first in the 17th minute as some good defending by the forwards stripped the Gaucho defense of the ball and gave Hair a breakaway on the UCSB goal keeper, which the freshman forward slotted home for a 1-0 lead. UCSB tied the score just four minutes later from a corner kick.

Early in the second half, Hair struck again after a free kick from midfield. Christine Quinn hit a long ball into the Gaucho defensive third, where Kelly Isleib headed it on to a streaking Hair who slammed it into the Gaucho net for a 2-1 Ute lead. The Gauchos tied it up four minutes later when Utah goal keeper, Emalee Rogers, was ruled to have fouled a forward in the box for a penalty kick, which was put away to make it 2-2.

The Utes quickly regained a lead at 3-2 just three minutes later after some nice wing play by Hair set up Isleib in front of the net, where she tapped it in. However, UCSB would tie it up for good in the 66th minute and the Utes would have to settle for a draw.

The game marked the first action of the spring for two Utah freshmen defenders. Morgan Skeen, played the full game in her return after ACL reconstruction surgery in October. And Alyssa Toomey saw limited action after spending the last 3 months recovering from shoulder surgery.

"There are many things that we try to accomplish with the spring games and, overall, this was another important part of the process", said coach Rich Manning. "Players are being given opportunities to sharpen their game in a very competitive environment. We are improving tremendously in our ball movement and have been quite dangerous in front of the goal. We still need to improve defensively as a team and to understand the important moments. And we will continue to work on these things."

The Utes will continue action in the Toyota College Classic on Sunday, April 6 with a contest against the Pepperdine Waves. Kickoff will be at 9:45 A.M. Pacific Time. For more information about the event, go to www.collegeclassic.com and click on the California link.

April Fool's Day at the U

Okay, today is April 1st...April Fool's Day of course. Check out the Wikipedia Entry on the history and some of the pranks over the years...

We've seen some interesting pranks pulled in and around the team over the years, mysterious illnesses, fake injuries, fake fights...We were thankful that the players were a bit too tired this morning for any of that...

The Daily Utah Chronicle put out its annual April 1st issue...which is filled with VERY interesting news (none of it real)...there were a couple of classics in it...

1. The story that identifies Mario Capecchi, the U's very own Nobel Prize winner, as the man behind the Swoop Mascot! Hilarious! Check out the story here.


2. There is a story about Kim Tillie, a forward on the Men's Basketball team at the U. The paper "reports" that Kim was drafted by the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks...who thought he was a woman..."a 6'9" forward named Kim that can dunk...we had to draft "her"...
Kim is from France and one of our favorite players...a very good guy...this story was very funny...

Check out more at www.dailyutahchronicle.com

University of Utah Academic Programs Receive High Marks

Even though we love soccer and this blog is about our soccer team...we also like to talk about what a wonderful school and community we have here at Utah.

U.S. News and World Report is coming out with its annual rankings for 2009 and the U is ranked 28 times in the report. Some of the highlights include:

**The School of Medicine is 50th in the nation for research. The school also moved up 14 spots to rank 31st for primary care
**Nursing-Midwifery is listed as 8th.
**Physical therapy is 19th.
**The Physician assistant program is ranked 4th.
**The School of Law is ranked at 51.
**The College of Engineering is at 59.
**The College of Education at 73.

The U was also listed in a category titled, "A+ Options for B Students"....which speaks to the wide variety of programs offered here. The new rankings will be up in full in August...For now, check out the 2008 numbers for yourself at the U.S. News and World Report web site.

Of course, we are not always just about rankings...there are stories and people that make up a great university and we will continue to talk about those as we go along as well as time goes by here, but we thought we'd start with this list...Go Utes!