Washington redshirt senior Amanda Perez scored the final goal in her first game back from a severe ankle injury.
SEATTLE – The Washington Huskies notched their second shutout win of a ranked opponent this season, taking down the #24 Utah Utes 2-0 at home. The win moves Washington's record to 8-3-0 on the year and 1-1-0 in conference.
Pascale Dumesnil recorded a goal and an assist in the game, giving her five points in her last three games. Amanda Perez also scored, adding her second goal of the season in her first game back from an ankle injury.
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Sarah Shimer made five saves en route to her seventh shutout of the year and sixth in the last seven games.
"We knew what Utah was going to try to do coming in and wanted to defend against their strengths," said head coach Lesle Gallimore. "They got the run of play pretty quickly and we adjust to take it away as the game went on."
Watch: Highlights from tonight's 2-0 victory over No. 24 Utah at Husky Soccer Stadium. #GoHuskies pic.twitter.com/ndniJJX5me
— UW Women's Soccer (@UW_WSoccer) September 29, 2017
The first of multiple juicy chances for Dumesnil came at 21'. Dumesnil gave it up on the run from the middle of the attacking half after a turnover. Shannon Simon, who received the pass near the right wing, almost immediately fed a through ball to Dumesnil in the box. The junior found herself with only the goalie in front of her and had her shot blocked up and away.
Two minutes later, Shimer showed her chops in goal with a full-extension, diving save. Utah sent in a corner that was redirected to the opposite corner off a head. Shimer, who had to plant and change direction, leapt immediately and caught the ball to keep the game scoreless.
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Dumesnil would break that scoreless tie at 26:04, putting the Huskies on top. Dumesnil put her defender on the ground with a nifty touch to get to the center of the box unmolested. With only the goalie in front of her, Dumesnil went low to the left corner for her first goal of the season.
Ava Lewis ended the half with a chip shot that nearly added to the lead, only to land on top of the net. That was Washington's eighth shot of the period, with Utah recording six in the first 45 minutes.
The moment. #GoHuskies pic.twitter.com/f9A1njxGVF
— UW Women's Soccer (@UW_WSoccer) September 29, 2017
In the 49th minute, Rachel Wheeler sent in a cross that beat the defense but also went just out of the reach of a sliding Olivia Van der Jagt, missing by inches another goal. It was the first of many chances in the second half for Washington, which began to dominate the ball as they hurdled toward victory.
The Utah attack had its best opportunity at 66', only to be stonewalled by Shimer and the Husky defense. Taylor Sekyra made a sliding play to push the ball out of the box after Utah got ahead of the defense. The Utes took a shot from there that hit the post, with Shimer diving to cover up the corner of the goal. Jessica Udovich pressured from there and ended the threat.
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The Huskies added to their lead at 82' with Perez's goal. Dominique Bond-Flasza carried into space then sent a ball to the right wing for Dumesnil on the move. Dumesnil worked in a rocket of a cross that reach the goal mouth at waist level for Perez. Perez lifted her leg high and redirected it to the far corner as the goalie rushed to grab it. It was Perez's second goal of the season.
Amanda Perez talks with the @Pac12Network after tonight’s 2-0 victory over No. 24 Utah on Montlake. #GoHuskies pic.twitter.com/jvreZasRXv
— UW Women's Soccer (@UW_WSoccer) September 29, 2017
"[Amanda's] comeback from a pretty severe ankle injury to get in there and play the way she did, not just the goal but the energy too, was really fun to watch," said Gallimore. "There are a lot of people that play hard for her because of all she's been through."
Shots were 12-10 Washington at the end of the game, with corners 7-6 in UW's favor.
The Huskies will host another Pac-12 matchup this weekend, taking on Colorado at 12:00 pm on Sunday, October 1.
