Big news for the University of Utah's women's soccer team as they notched a historical 300th win on Thursday, beating Utah Tech with a scoreline of 2-1 at Ute Field, marking a significant milestone for the program. According to UtahUtes.com, goals from Kelly Bullock and Abby Affleck propelled the Utes to their third home victory of the 2025 season, bringing their record to an impressive 5-2-1, while Utah Tech stumbled to 3-3-1.
The game was far from a cakewalk, Utah Tech put up a formidable challenge, but it was Utah's night, their coach Hideki Nakada, beaming with pride, said good result at home tonight against a tough Utah Tech team, and acknowledging the team's effort on a corner kick play which they had honed in, they got the result with Bullock diving on the second ball to score, and Abby Affleck taking her chance too, converting it into a goal. Despite a win that seemed comfortable on paper, the match statistics laid bare a gritty contest, with Utah finishing with a 12-6 shot advantage, solidifying a slender 3-2 edge in shots on goal, and a physical match that saw a combined 16 fouls and three cautions among both teams.
Detailing the scoring, Bullock found the net early in the game, off an assist from Ryann Cull, giving Utah a lead with their first corner kick opportunity, following an intense scramble in the box. Notably, Bullock leads the team with eight points and is tied for the lead in goals, showcasing her significance to the team’s attacking prowess. Affleck secured her first collegiate goal, and Reese Kennel notched her first career assist thereafter, the teamwork and precision of these young athletes turning heads as they bolster the team's attacking statistics.
The clinging on to the lead throughout the match was not without its drama. Utah Tech managed to claw one back before the break, sprucing up the second half with both teams ramping up defensive measures, holding each other without a shot on goal for the first 23 minutes of the latter period. Utah remained a threat, notably off another corner kick, but luck was not entirely on their side Hetzel's shot being rebuffed, later a Utah Tech corner seemed to spell trouble, yet video review upheld stellar defensive work by Brooklyn Blaylock keeping the ball tantalizingly outside the goal line preserving Utah's advantage, as the clock ticked down, Utah Tech's last-ditch efforts were thwarted with Utah maintaining control and eventually closing out the memorable match.
With this celebration-worthy achievement, the University of Utah women’s soccer team sets a benchmark in its history, highlighting the fruition of teamwork, skill, and strategic play. The 300th win weaves a tapestry that places the team in a venerable spot and sets up a thrilling prospect for what's to come in the remainder of their season.
