In their first road game of the 2013 season, the Oregon’s women’s soccer team fell to the Utah Utes 1-0.

The Utes got off to a hot start on Friday night in Salt Lake City, Utah, shooting three times in the first eight minutes and taking a corner soon after. Oregon soon responded with a couple of shots by Kira Wagoner and Kristen Parr in the 11th and 13th minutes.

The first half settled into a grove where it showed, yet again, that this would be a defensive game. In the first half, the offensive attack was fairly balanced with Utah shooting seven times and Oregon taking five shots of their own. Though Oregon made Utah goalkeeper Lindsey Luke work on their shots. Luke recording three saves in the half, while Oregon keeper Abby Steele was needed only once to record a save.

In the second half, the Utes played great defense. While the Utah offense continued to have opportunities to score — taking five shots — Oregon was limited to only two shots in the half. In fact, Lindsey Luke didn’t need to record a single save in the second half. Utah, though, got their chance when sophomore midfielder Katie Rigby put the ball in the back of the net in the 69th minute off an assist from Katie Taylor. The Utah defense would continue to defend well against the Ducks to close out the game for the win.

The Ducks are now 2-5-3 on the season and 0-1-1 in Pac-12 play.

Last season, the Ducks struggled on the road, ending the year with a winless road record (0-5-0). Oregon head coach Kat Mertz said the other day that she’s hoping her team will improve their road record this year.

“We have to find a way to win on the road,” Mertz said the other day. “I think we have to take a more serious, business-like approach to road matches. Yes, it’s fun to get out and travel, but at the end of the day you’re there for business — to do a job.”

Oregon’s road trip will continue on Sunday in Colorado where they will take on the Buffaloes (9-2-0) for their third conference game of the year.