The Southern Utah University soccer team opened a four-game homestand Friday afternoon when they hosted the Idaho State Bengals for their fifth Big Sky matchup of the season. After a scoreless first half, the Thunderbirds were able to take down the Bengals by a score of 2-1 and move to 2-3 since starting conference play.
The first half might have ended scoreless between the two teams, but it wasn’t without action. In a strange turn of events, Idaho State was issued two red cards within 17 minutes of each other. Lauren McGahie drew the first one in the 17th minute and Jennifer McCaw was issued the second in the 34th minute. MaKenzie Lawrence was issued a yellow card in the 25th minute making it three cards handed out in just 17 minutes of play.
“The challenge with a game like this becomes ‘what type of a team are you?’. It was certainly a learning experience,” head coach Fred Thompson said. “I don’t think any of the players have played a game like this before, but we ended up creating a lot of opportunities and finding a way to win.”
The Thunderbirds came out firing in the second half, outshooting the Bengals 12-3. Payton Wells put Southern Utah up 1-0 with her third goal of the season, taking a pass from Summer Soriano and scoring from the far right side of the goal in the 52nd minute.
The Bengals tied the game in the 57th minute on a goal from Brooke Kortekaas, her first of the season.
Jahna Tacson put the Thunderbirds up for good in the 83rd minute when Devri Hartle sent a cross into the box from the right side and Tacson tapped it in to make it 2-1.
“We’ll try and keep the forward, positive thrust going as we move on to Sunday,” Thompson said. “It is our first full weekend at home so we have a great opportunity to bounce back and react to the challenges ahead.”
The Thunderbirds will look to get to 3-3 in conference play Sunday as they host the Weber State Wildcats. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. at Thunderbird Soccer Field.
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Story By
SUU Strategic Athletic Communications
