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Show Wednesday, September 8, 2010 DAILY UTAH CHRONICLE 7 SOCCER Team looks to improve on shooting Kelsey Price STAFF WRITER Shooting woes plague Utes Women's soccer has struggled with shooting during the first six games of the 2010 season, only converting one of its 78 shots into a goal. Despite taking only four fewer shots than their opponents (82-78), the Utes have taken only 34 of those shots on goal. The lack of Utah goals is frustrating for the team, which is averaging 13 shots per game. "We had II golden opportunities against Loyola and three against (Saint Mary's) this weekend," said head coach Rich Manning. "There's not really an excuse for us missing all of those." Utah hopes to fare better in Ogden on Thursday. The Utes will take to the field against Weber State, which has taken just 3o shots to opponents' 71 in four games. Dailey leads team in shooting Junior striker Erin Dalley continues to be the leading offensive force for Utah. With the lone goal of the season coming off Dalley's foot against Washington State, she leads the team with 18 shots, six of those on goal. Last season, Dalley tied with Kelly Isleib—who now plays in Women's Professional Soccer for Sky Blue FC—to lead the team with eight goals. Senior Lauren Hair, who has blasted the ball on net nine times, follows Dalley. Junior Lauren Dudley and freshman Lexi Krantz follow with seven shots apiece. NATHAN SWEET/The Daily Utah Chronicle Lauren Dudley clears the ball down the field in Sunday afternoon's game against St. Mary's. The Utes are still looking for their first win of the season. Team struggles in second half Now six games into the season, a pattern of the Utah spread falling apart in the second half of games is beginning to emerge. Despite outshooting opponents cumulatively 41-34 in the first half, the Utes have only taken 37 shots to opponents' 48 in the second half. In its most recent game, Utah held off Saint Mary's in the first half, keeping the score tied at zero until the 53rd minute. The Utes took nine shots to Saint Mary's, two in the first half, but only managed four to the Gaels' II in the latter half. Before Saint Mary's first point on the scoreboard, Utah took a strike toward the net every 5 minutes 5o seconds on average, but after the Gaels scored, the Utes managed a shot only once every 9 minutes 15 seconds. Defense steps forward Although the Utes continue to struggle in the midfield and up top, the team's defense has shined offensively. Dudley, who plays centerback, is one of the team's leading shooters. Against Loyola Marymount, defenders Dudley, Lauren Porter and Morgan Skeen took a combined nine of the team's 25 shots. Altogether, the back line has taken a total of 2I shots so far this season. Despite opponents scoring II goals against Utah in six games, the Utes have held strong in the back line. Last week against Georgia, centerbacks Dudley and Porter shut down most of the Bulldogs' crosses in the first half, giving the team little opportunity to shoot inside the box. Manning said he hopes to push the back line into the midfield and use defenders more on runs until some of the other players return from injuries. Student appreciation night announced At the Oct. i match against Oregon State at I p.m., the first ioo U students at Ute Field will receive free pizza. Student appreciation night at Ute Field will be Oct. 21, against San Diego State at 7 p.m. There will be contests, activities and promotions specifically for students. The Latterday Saint Student Association, Greek Row and the MUSS are sponsoring the activities. k.price@ chronicle.utah.edu browse the news on your cell • Mobile web version of The Daily Utah Chronicle Online now available! • The average cost of a DUI in Utah is about $7000. Mom will be thrilled. DRUNK DRIVING OVER THE LIMIT. UNDER ARREST. Register on hronicle's website: |
