The No.12 Cal women’s soccer team (6-0-2) has faced Utah twice in the past two years, and it twice has emerged victorious.
After posting six wins and two ties against eight nonconference opponents in 2013, Cal travels to Salt Lake City looking to extend its winning streak against Utah (4-1-4) and get its Pac-12 campaign off to a winning start.
Despite being slated in preseason polls to finish ninth in the Pac-12, Utah could prove be a tricky tie for the Golden Bears. They bring back every player who scored or had an assist in 2012, and Utah coach Rich Manning’s squad also boasts two years of Pac-12 experience. Led by junior midfielder Katie Taylor and sophomore forward Baylee Nielsen up front and preseason All-Conference Team member Avery Ford in the back, the Utes will be formidable opponents.
Although Taylor and Nielsen lead Utah in scoring this season, Cal coach Neil McGuire insists he will not “spend a whole lot of time focusing specifically on individual players.”
“Our focus will be on keeping the ball and circulating it quicker, trying to take advantage of situations that arise,” McGuire said.
Cal plays an attacking brand of soccer based on quick passes and fluid movement between players, a style McGuire wishes to improve upon further. Despite McGuire’s emphasis on possession and finishing, stats show opposing defenses already struggle to deal with Cal’s potent offense, as the team is putting up an impressive average of 2.5 goals per game.
McGuire’s predilection to focus on the attack simply may be due to a lack of concern with his near-perfect defense, which is conceding an average of only 0.88 goals per game. According to McGuire, senior goalkeeper and team captain Emily Kruger — who has posted two shutouts and made 28 saves on the season — is “playing the best (he) has ever seen her play.”
Unfortunately for the Bears, Cal’s high-scoring offense may have to cope with the absence of senior forward and captain Rachel Mercik due to injury. Although Mercik dismissed a knee injury she sustained in last Sunday’s bout against St. Mary’s as “nothing too serious,” her coach may elect to err on the side of caution to ensure her availability for the remainder of the season.
The forward’s potential absence will be made up for by sophomore standouts Ifeoma Onumonu and Samantha Witteman, who lead Cal in scoring with six goals apiece. Witteman in particular will be on Utah’s radar as the squad prepares for the Golden Bears, as she is riding high after her hat trick against St. Mary’s on Sunday.
“Witteman is obviously providing a spark right now, and I’m really happy for her because last year she wanted to but didn’t get the opportunities I think she felt she deserved,” McGuire said.
Facing Cal’s dynamic offense and well-organized defense, the Utes will be in for a stiff test Friday night. To cope, Manning may field an extra midfielder to stack the center of the pitch and overwhelm Cal’s midfield trio. If he does pursue such a strategy, Cal will rely on its outside backs to get forward and provide width in the attack.
Regardless of who makes the lineup, what style is employed or how Utah responds, Cal will be zeroed in on maintaining its undefeated record and returning to the Bay Area with its first win of the Pac-12 season.
Josh Netter covers women’s swimming. Contact her at [email protected].