After last week’s controversy with a referee, the men’s soccer team had no time to dwell on the past. Oct. 22, the team began grueling but successful games in a three-day stretch that began in Salt Lake City and then went to Idaho and finally to Logan to take on the Aggies.
The quest started out great when Utah took on Utah Valley. The Utes were able to secure the win by a score of 2-1 thanks to two outstanding goals by Gill Gaertner III, who single-handedly took over the game.
The Utes then had a four-hour drive to Pocatello, where they took on Idaho State on Friday. It was a cold afternoon, and the Utes didn’t have much depth on the bench since all players weren’t able to make the trip. But they overcame both obstacles and defeated Idaho State by a score of 2-1, thanks to goals by James “Billy” Roome and newcomer Brittin Southard, who is one of the additions from the 2009 open tryouts.
It was back to Utah for the Utes’ final match of the stretch as they faced the Aggies. It was their most physical game of the weekend, and only one goal was scored. That goal came from Gaertner III to seal the Utes’ third win.
Gaertner III was no doubt the most valuable player of the weekend. He scored three of the five goals for the Utes, who outscored their opponents 5-2.
Head coach Gilbert Gaertner Jr. said he was proud of his squad but that the team was a little embarrassed to see how much the other schools do for their club teams.
“All of these schools have installations shared with the NCAA girls, the equipment and funds to support these athletes that, in many cases, pay out-of-state tuition, go to school full-time and defend the colors and the name of their respected schools,” Gaertner Jr. said. “This is something that our school could do a better job of for those that dedicate so much time for so little.”
After having so many away games this year, the team now faces a tough financial problem. The players are waiting for money to be reimbursed by the Associated Students of the University of Utah, in hopes that it will give them enough funds to cover hotel, transportation and food for the 23 players selected to participate in the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association Tournament this weekend in Boise, in which the Utes hold a No. 3 seed.
Did they field an imaginary team?