The No. 1 University of Utah Men’s lacrosse team improved to 6-0 after a 25-5 win over Boise State on Saturday at Judge Memorial High School in Salt Lake City.
Attackman Joseph ‘JoJo’ Olivas opened the scoring for the Utes a minute into the game when he pushed from X and found space around the crease a shot low for the goal. Midfielder Gus Colonna scored on the next possession for the Utes when he ran across the top of the field and found space 12 yards out where he planted his feet and stuck it in the back of the net. The Broncos scored next when Ty Horrocks scored on an open net during a 10-man ride for the Utes. Attackman Josh Stout scored his first goal of the game midway through the quarter when defenseman Aidan Christian picked the ball out of midair on the ride and found attackman Quinault Mackey who looked upfield to Stout who buried it in the back of the net. LSM Chris Belcher scored next for the Utes when he had a perfect bounce shot into the top shelf of the net. Josh Stout, midfielder Cam Redmond, and midfielder Jake Stout scored for the Utes to close out the quarter with a 7-1 scoreline.
Boise State used the break to gain a little momentum as they came out of the break and scored two goals. The Utes were able to reel them back in though and scored eight goals to finish the half with a 12 goal lead, 15-3. Goals came from all over the field with midfielder Aaron Fjeldsted opening the run. Attackman Bo Powell, Colonna, Fjeldsted, Jake Stout, Redmond, Mackey and attackman Cole Watson scored for the Utes.
Josh Stout scored first in the third quarter and was answered by Alex Wilson for the Broncos. The Utes then went on a 6 goal run. Josh Stout scored twice to began the run and was followed by attackman Luke Graney, midfielder Liam Cavanaugh-Fernandez, Belcher, and two goals by Watson. Boise State pulled one back but the Utes answered with goals by midfielder Dalton Ziegler, his first of the season, Watson, and attackman Grayson Goodyear.
“We started out hot but then made a few mistakes,” said Utah head coach Brian Holman. “We corrected them and the players really responded to our coaching which they’ve done all year and I’m proud of them for doing it.”
The Ute defense was up to the task once again. Goalie Daniel Costa finished with 4 saves. Goalie Zachary Johns had 2 saves. Mackey finished with 1 goal and 4 assists. Watson and Josh Stout each had 4 goals. The face-off crew of Michael Abizaid, Collin Leigh, and Jacob Chang combined for 24 face-off wins out of 34 total face-offs.
Utah will host Oregon next Thursday, March 15. The game will begin at 7pm. Field location is to be determined. Stay tuned on social media (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook) or the website for updates.
