Utah Soccer Stifles Washington State, 1-0

Friday, October 14

Salt Lake City, Utah

7:00 PM

University of Utah

Washington State

10/14/2016 10:17 PM | Soccer

Box Score Box Score

Skolmoski with another winner, third-straight shutout for Utes

SALT LAKE CITY - Utah Soccer's Hailey Skolmoski struck late in regulation to defeat Washington State, 1-0. The Utes earned their third-straight shutout and ninth of the season with another strong defensive showing.

"Our team showed great character tonight," head coach Rich Manning said. "The first half was a bit rough for us, much in part to a very good Washington State team. July made an important save in the opening minutes to keep it level. We talked at the halftime break about being more aggressive and trying to get behind them more. The team responded with terrific energy and we created some excellent chances. We got contributions from many people and it was a great team win."

For Skolmoski, her 11^th goal of the season could not have come at a better time. Eden Jacobsen won the ball in midfield and after a deflection, the ball came to Taylor Slattery. The senior played a lovely ball over the top that allowed Skolmoski to split a pair of defenders and break through on goal. Her shot to the lower left corner squeezed past the goalkeeper for a Utah lead in the 84th minute.

July Mathias made three saves in goal, giving her five shutouts on the season, and Utah's backline was impressive again, limiting the Cougars to only three shots in the tense second half.

The Utes started aggressively with Natalie Vukic, Skolmoski and Slattery getting looks at goal in the first nine minutes. Mathias would deny Morgan Weaver in the early going and then stop her again in the 37^th minute. WSU's best chance occurred when Kailiana Johnson hit the crossbar.

Vukic forced a save from Ella Dederick and Ireland Dunn narrowly missed putting the Utes in front right before the halftime interval.

In the second stanza, it was all Utah. Skolmoski had an attempt blocked from a corner kick and one minute later, Katie Rogers experienced the same fate. Her rebound fell to Jacobsen who had a shot stopped by Dederick. Rogers met the ensuing corner once more, but her header sailed wide.

WSU had a chance in the 55^th minute off a corner but Utah's defense closed down on a Chelsea Harkins shot. Just after the hour mark, Dederick denied both Skolmoski and Jacobsen to keep it scoreless.

The Utes continued to pepper the WSU goalkeeper with Dunn, Max Flom, Natalee Wells, Slattery and Vukic all getting looks at goal during a 15-minute span prior to the Skolmoski goal. At the other end, Mathias was called into action one last time to make a save on Kaitlyn Johnson to preserve the win.

Utah hits the road for a game at Cal on Thursday afternoon. Kick-off is slated for 3 p.m. and will be broadcast live on Pac-12 Networks.