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Utah Upsets Top-seeded UNLV 2-0 In Championship Game UNLV had a 5-1 edge in shots on goal.
Nov. 4, 2004
Box Score in PDF Format
PROVO, Utah--- After 80-plus minutes of scoreless action, No. 4 seed Utah scored two quick goals to upset MWC regular season champs and No. 1 seed UNLV, 2-0, and clinch a trip to the championship game of the 2004 Mountain West Conference Women's Soccer Championships, Thursday at BYU's South Stadium.
Both teams played to a scoreless first half despite several scoring opportunities by both. At the break, UNLV had a 5-1 edge in shots on goal.
The teams continued to battle in the second half with a strong offensive effort before Utah's Kiley Jones got the ball into the far left corner of the goal past UNLV's goalkeeper Jenna Huff. Eight minutes later the Utes' sealed their victory when Amanda Feigt had a one-on-one situation with Huff and kicked the ball straight into the left side of the goal.
"My first impression is that UNLV is a great team and they improved since we played them a month ago," said Utes' head coach Rich Manning. "One of the great things about soccer is that you can be outplayed a little bit and just kind of hang in there and things can turn."
In the stats category, the Rebels had a one-shot advantage with seven to the Utes' six. Both teams had two corner opportunities each.
MWC Coach of the Year Dan Abdalla was pleased with his team's effort in the semifinal game. "Utah is a great team and sometimes it comes down to whatever team keeps the pressure on. I'm just happy that our kids came out and fought and made it a competitive game."
With the loss UNLV falls to 12-4-2 and will hope for an NCAA at-large invitation next week. Utah, who improved its season record to 13-5-2, will play the winner of the second semifinal game between SDSU and the Air Force Academy in the championship game at 11 a.m., on Saturday, November 6 at South Stadium on the BYU campus.
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