SPOKANE, Wash.—After pulling within a goal just before halftime, Utah Valley dominated much of the second half but came up short in a 2-1 setback to Gonzaga on Wednesday night at Luger Field.
Utah Valley falls to 3-4-1 overall, while Gonzaga improves to 4-4-1 on the season.
"I'm proud of the team and proud of the performance," Utah Valley head coach Chris Lemay said. "I thought we were dominant for the majority of the game. We just need to be a little tidier in the final third. Credit to Gonzaga, but if I'm evaluating the game based strictly on our performance, I thought we played well. The scoreboard stinks, but sometimes it just doesn't go your way."
Gonzaga struck early after a ball sent into the box was deflected out near the top of the area, where Amelia Severn collected it and fired a shot into the upper-right corner of the net to give the Bulldogs a 1-0 lead in the fourth minute.
The Bulldogs doubled their advantage in the 37th minute. After a race for the ball into the box, UVU goalkeeper Madeleine Boucher dove for the loose ball, but it was knocked free. Gonzaga's Sophia Schlicklin fired a shot toward goal that Mia Owens cleared off the line, but Schlicklin collected the rebound and put it into the net to give Gonzaga a 2-0 lead.
Utah Valley cut the deficit in half with just eight seconds remaining before halftime. Sadie Beardall sent a left-footed cross from the left side into the box, where Jacey Wood battled Gonzaga's Summer Chen for the ball. Wood's pressure caused the ball to deflect off Chen and into the net at the 44:52 mark, sending the Wolverines into halftime trailing 2-1.
The Wolverines controlled much of the second half, outshooting Gonzaga 8-1 over the final 45 minutes, but were unable to find the equalizer.
Utah Valley outshot Gonzaga 11-8 on the night and held a 6-5 advantage in shots on goal. The Bulldogs finished with a 5-3 edge in corner kicks.
Five different Wolverines recorded two shots, with Quinn Rustand and Josie Clawson each putting two attempts on frame. Boucher finished with three saves in goal.
Utah Valley now returns home to UCCU Stadium on Saturday night to take on in-state rival Weber State. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. MT. The match will be broadcast live on ESPN+. Tickets are available at GoUVU.com/GetTix.
