SALT LAKE CITY, Utah -- The University of Oregon women’s soccer team dropped its first Pac-12 match of the season to Utah on Friday night at the Ute Soccer Field. A 69th minute goal lifted Utah (5-1-5, 1-0-1) to a 1-0 victory in Oregon’s first road match of the season.

Oregon had its shutout streak snapped at 229 minutes when Katie Rigby scored her first goal of the season, putting away Katie Taylor’s free kick midway through the second half. The Ducks took seven shots, with three on target, and had three corner kicks, but couldn’t pull even. Oregon falls to 2-4-3 on the season and 0-1-1 in conference play.

“I thought we were dangerous in attack and had some really good chances in the first half,” said head coach Kat Mertz. “Utah did a really good job of playing to their strengths and they deserve credit for the win.”

Utah opened the match with the first three shots of the contest, but Oregon responded with back-to-back shots from Kira Wagoner and Kristen Parr. Wagoner’s shot in the 11th minute went on target, but Lindsey Luke made the save for Utah.

Junior Bri Pugh nearly gave Oregon a lead in the 29th minute, finding space wide to deliver a threatening shot. A low, hard-hit ball from Pugh bounced off the post and Utah avoided falling behind by just inches. Maryn Beutler also had a shot on goal in the 40th minute, but the Ducks went to half in a 0-0 stalemate.

The Utes broke the tie in the 69th minute, snapping Oregon’s defensive shutout streak that spanned back to a Sept. 20 game against San Francisco. Katie Rigby scored the game-winner on a free kick that was assisted by Katie Taylor.

Oregon had a goal waived offside in the 74th minute. Kiyomi Cook’s free kick created a scramble in the box and sophomore Kristen Parr eventually flicked the ball past Luke. Oregon was called offside, and Utah retained its advantage.

Utah finished with a 12-7 advantage in shots, while Oregon had a 3-1 lead in corner kicks. Kira Wagoner led the Ducks with two shots and a shot on target while junior goalkeeper Abby Steele made two saves.

“Colorado is playing well right now and they have some good players, but we just have to take this one game at a time and move forward,” said Mertz. “I think we’ll have some people step forward for us and it’s going to be a good game on the Pac-12 Network.”

The Ducks return to the pitch Sunday, meeting Colorado at Prentup Field in Boulder, Colo. Start time is set for 1 p.m. (PT).

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