OREM, Utah – Utah Valley University saw a late goal from UMKC thwart an opportunity to knock off the league-leading Kangaroos on Friday night at Clyde Field in a 1-0 defeat.
Kansas City (14-3-0, 6-0-0) won its seventh straight overall and stayed unbeaten in the WAC while the Wolverines dropped to 4-12-1 overall and 3-3-0 in conference play.
"Overall I thought we played well, but unfortunately we had chances and we just missed and they hit a good one," said UVU head coach
Chris Lemay. "I'm not unhappy with the team's performance, just unhappy with the scoreboard. They're (UMKC) a very good team, there's no doubt about it. It was a really good soccer game, but I feel like on any given day we can beat anyone in this conference."
Chances in the first half were few and far between, with UMKC getting two shots on goal and UVU with just one.
The Wolverines had a handful of opportunities in the second half, including on an
Amber Tripp toe poke in the 55th minute and then a
Sara Callister shot on goal five minutes later.
It was Rylan Childers, on an assist from her sister Reighan, who scored what turned out to be the game-winner in the 76th minute. Childers fired from 22 yards out and it was deflected by UVU goalkeeper
Sarah Davis, but still found the back of the net. It was the seventh goal of the year for Childers.
The 'Roos finished with 16 shots, eight on goal. Utah Valley had 10 shots, five that were on frame. Davis had seven saves for the Wolverines.
The Wolverines will now head to Phoenix on Saturday in preparation for a noon MT match at Grand Canyon on Sunday. UVU will wrap the WAC regular season next Saturday, Oct. 27 against Seattle U at Clyde Field. The 2018 WAC Tournament will begin on Oct. 31 and is hosted by Utah Valley.