The Wolverines remain unbeaten and in first place in WAC play
Christian Ledek | Sports Writer | @sea_led
Orem, UT – The Utah Valley University women’s soccer team dominated the University of New Mexico State tonight by a score of 4-0. The win means the Wolverines stay on top of the conference with a 3-0-1 record and an 8-4-1 record overall. The Aggies drop to 2-2-0 in conference play and 3-10-0 on the season.
It was a cool, crisp night at Clyde Field, but the Wolverines started out hot by putting on the pressure against the Aggies from the opening whistle. They dominated possession and had the most goal scoring opportunities with the break through coming in the 31st minute on a goal from Taylor Kirk. Sara Callister was able to beat her defender on the right side of the field and make a sliding cross at the end line into the middle of the box that was touched on by Breanna McCarter and Taylor Kirk guided the ball into the bottom right corner. New Mexico State’s keeper, Rian Nials, did well to dive and get a touch on the ball, but it wasn’t enough to keep it out.
Kasandra Anderson got on the scoreboard in the 60th minute on another good pass from McCarter at the top of the box. Anderson took one touch and fired the shot home.
The third goal was assisted by Anderson as her pass was deflected by a defender near the top right part of the box, yet still found it’s way to Kirk just outside the top of the box. Her shot was low with pace to the right corner and as the Aggies’ keeper dove it looked like she would make the save, but the ball snuck under Nials and found its way into the net.
The fourth and final goal was assisted by Libby Weber. She was able to start a counter attack off an Aggies’ corner kick. She dribbled down the middle of the field and passed the ball to her left inside the box. Sydney Fitzpatrick was on the end of that pass and buried her shot in the bottom right corner.
It was the third consecutive victory for the Wolverines. Head coach Brent Anderson was pleased with his team’s performance.
“Great to be back at home and great to get the win,” he said. “The team is on an upward trajectory right now. Their confidence is high and they’re playing really well.”
When asked what the biggest challenge will be going forward as conference favorites, coach Anderson responded with how well the team can continue to produce winning results.
“Our challenge is being consistent,” he said. “We know we have a bit of a target on our back. There’s a lot of parody in this conference. We’re going to have to be sharp because we have some very tough games coming up.”
Taylor Kirk was proud of her team’s performance as well and credited her two goals to her teammates and coach Anderson’s game plan.
“We just came out and did exactly what coach said,” she said. “We put New Mexico State on their heels and we were able to catch them off guard.”
The Wolverines are back in action on Sunday, October 11 at Clyde Field in Orem. Kickoff is scheduled for 11 a.m. MST.
