With 4-game win streak, Utah Red Wolves tighten grip on first in USL2's Mountain division
With 4-game win streak, Utah Red Wolves tighten grip on first in USL2's Mountain division
After two impressive road victories against Boulder County United and Colorado International Soccer Academy (CISA), the Utah Red Wolves sit securely atop the Mountain Division standings.
SALT LAKE CITY – After two impressive road victories, the Utah Red Wolves now sit securely atop the Mountain Division standings. The undefeated Wolves have now racked up 14 points in six matches, three more than their in-state rival and current division runner-up Salt City SC.
Utah’s 4-1 win over Boulder County proved to be a breakout performance for Heber native Greyson Mercer, who netted all four goals for the Red Wolves. Mercer’s first goal of the match and second of the season came in the 30th minute, but it was quickly followed by a Boulder County equalizer.
The second half saw a dominating performance by the Wolves’ back line and a similarly impressive showing by Mercer, whose goals in the 54th, 65th, and 82nd minutes pushed Utah to their first truly definitive win of the season.
The Red Wolves’ match against Colorado International Soccer Academy (CISA) showed the squad’s ability to overcome adversity. It took just eight minutes for CISA to score the first goal of the contest, but the Wolves remained unflinching.
Utah forward James Miles quickly put away the tying goal in the 11th minute, followed by a go-ahead strike from Carter Johnson only two minutes later.
The drama ramped up in the 22nd minute when Red Wolves goalkeeper Jason Smith was shown a red card for using his hands outside of the penalty area to prevent a CISA goalscoring opportunity. Westminster College’s Roark Looney was then substituted in as Utah was forced to play the remainder of the match a man down. Despite the disadvantage, the Wolves remained on the offensive and consolidated their lead with a 36th-minute goal from Mercer.
The breakout star of the week’s sixth goal of the year and Looney’s personal clean sheet sealed Utah’s 3 - 1 victory.
“I thought we had a great weekend, to go away on the road and score seven goals while only conceding two,” said Red Wolves head coach Scott Mackenzie. “To come home with six points is great business. From top to bottom, we have a great group of young men whose class on and off the field showed through this weekend.”
The Wolves have now won four matches in a row after two draws to start off the 2023 campaign. With four matches remaining in the regular season, the club is beginning to zero in on a third-straight division title.
Utah aim to keep its momentum rolling in a return home to Judge Memorial Catholic High School, where the Red Wolves will face Boulder County on June 29 and Flatirons Rush SC on July 1. Both matches kick at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets can be purchased at the gate for $10.
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