Utes secure historic first Big 12 victory against Arizona

SALT LAKE CITY — Coming off a surprising loss to Utah Valley, the Utah women's soccer team bounced back in a big way, securing their first-ever Big 12 victory by defeating Arizona 1-0 in a hard-fought game Thursday night at Ute Field.

The match, which marked the 22nd meeting between the Utes and Wildcats, was not only a historic occasion but was also a pivotal moment for the Utes, who were looking to regain momentum after their tough preseason performance.

"It was really nice to pull out a win after not the best preseason," said Utah forward Katie O'Kane, who netted the game's only goal in the second half.

The first half was a defensive battle, with neither team able to find much offensive rhythm. Arizona managed two shots on goal, while Utah struggled to create any real scoring chances. However, the energy on the field shifted dramatically after halftime, with the Utes playing with a renewed sense of urgency.

"At halftime, our coach reminded us of how good we are and how we should be able to beat teams like night and day. We should be playing better than we were," O'Kane said.

That halftime pep talk appeared to work, as Utah came out much stronger in the second half.

The breakthrough moment came in the 67th minute when Utah's offensive pressure finally paid off. Taliana Kaufusi, who had been a consistent threat throughout the game, headed the ball forward to O'Kane, who sprinted past Arizona's defenders and calmly slotted the ball into the back of the net. It was Utah's first and only shot on goal — and it was all they needed.

"When the header came through, I was relaxed, thinking, 'just place it in the goal.' I've done this in practice 100 times, so I just stayed composed, and, obviously, I was really happy to celebrate with my team and get the win," O'Kane said.

Despite the Wildcats' efforts to equalize, Utah's defense held strong, with goalkeeper Kasey Wardle delivering a standout performance. Arizona launched a late offensive push, earning three corner kicks in the 87th minute, but Wardle and the Utes backline refused to budge. Wardle finished the game with three crucial saves, helping Utah preserve the lead and secure the win.

"We feel great. We know we can play that way, and the last few weeks, we haven't quite shown it," Wardle said. "It's just really rewarding, and we have been working on it so much."

Wardle's ability to remain calm under pressure was key to Utah's success.

"I think the biggest thing for me was just sticking to the basics and taking a deep breath when you can to just control the game," she said. "It's either all or nothing at this position."

The intensity of the game heightened as the clock wound down. Tempers flared, and Utah's Devi Dudley received a yellow card in the 88th minute after a heated exchange between players. Kaufusi, who had been a driving force in Utah's attack, was helped off the field with a leg injury late in the game, a concerning development for the Utes as they head into their next matchup.

With the win, Utah has set the tone for their first Big 12 matchup; however, the team said they know they need to stay focused as they prepare for their next match.

"We are going to ride off this win and lock in but know that we have to do more than just beat our first team," O'Kane said.

Wardle echoed that, saying: "Every week is brand new opponents. We get to celebrate tonight, but then forget about it and it's just starting from square one starting tomorrow."

The Utes will take on Idaho State at home on Sunday, while Arizona will hit the road again to face Baylor next Thursday.

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