GRAND FORKS, N.D. --- The University of North Dakota soccer team allowed three second-half goals as Utah Valley spoils a cold and windy conference home-opener for the Sioux, 4-1.
Rachael Loomis (Fargo, N.D.) scored the lone goal for the Sioux (1-9-1, 0-2-0 GWC) in the game where the temperature read 38 degrees and there was scattered snow flurries throughout the game.
The Sioux made some outstanding defensive plays in the first half to keep it close. Early in the half, Katey Turner was able to just stay onside to bring the ball one-on-one on Sioux goalkeeper Lauren Sera (Winnipeg, Manitoba) and put a shot on goal but Kirsten Zachman (Mahtomedi, Minn.) came sliding in from the far side for the team save.
UVU was able to take a 1-0 lead into the half when Jaime Lyons was able to split the defenders for another one-on-one opportunity on Sera which this time the Wolverines were able to finish at 43:58.
"We knew what we had to do," Kristen Gay said. "They caught us off guard a little bit but we were able to cut it to 2-1 and made some adjustments. Then I think Utah Valley just played a great game and definitely outplayed us in the second half."
"We have some players that are injured right now and if we can get them healthy that will give us some more depth which will be nice, but we have some kids that usually don't get a lot of minutes and that were able to get some minutes and played great. So we are excited about the future of the program."
Camille Broderick added to the lead at 54:25, but the Sioux answered for their first goal and fourth of the year by Loomis at 68:11. Junior Alex Zarling (Fargo, N.D.) assisted on the play.
Then it was all Wolverines adding two more goals by Athena Maher and Nicole Archibald.
The Sioux return to action on Sunday at Bronson Field against conference foe Houston Baptis with a scheduled 12 p.m. start.
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