The Southern Utah University women’s soccer team faced off against Idaho State University on Thursday, Sept. 12 and Boise State University on Sunday, Sept. 15. In the first game, SUU tied 0-0 with Idaho State, and lost to Boise State 3-0. The Thunderbirds now sit with a 1-5-2 record overall, and are sitting in last place in the Western Athletic Conference.
Game one
It was a heavily defensive battle throughout the entirety of the game. Standout forward Whitney Gardner took three early shots towards the goal in the first half, but none were on target. Idaho State showed a bit of pressure as well with a pair of shots on goal, but Darya Mosallaei was able to get a hand on them and record the saves.
Idaho State’s Virginia Wallace took a shot at the bottom right corner of the box but Mosallaei made a great save, keeping the score tied at 0-0 at half.
Both teams continued in the same fashion, trading shots while the goaltenders made great saves. Angie Knies had two great looks partway through the second half but Trinity Hale was all over it recording the saves.
In the 70th minute, ISU’s Talia Coury was issued a yellow card, her first of the year. Mosallaei added two more saves in the final 20 minutes resulting in a 0-0 draw.
Game two
In the second of their two games of the week, Southern Utah faced off against Boise State University in Boise, Idaho on Sunday, Sept. 15. Similar to the first game, it was a defensive battle from the beginning.
Boise State continually put the pressure on the backline of Southern Utah, constantly keeping the ball on their side of the field. The Broncos had 13 shots on goal in the first half with Carly Cross leading the way with three shots. As a team, SUU only totaled three shots.
It didn’t take long for the Broncos to get on board. Cross broke the tie with a goal in the 50th minute off the assist from Jillian Anderson. Three minutes later, BSU added to their lead with a goal from Avery McBride.
Southern Utah never found their rhythm on offense, lacking good looks and putting no pressure on the Boise State defense. In the 85th minute, Sadie Santiago committed a foul in the penalty box giving Boise State a penalty kick. McBride stepped up and put it in the back of the net, giving her a team high of five goals on the year and securing the 3-0 win of SUU.
What’s next?
Southern Utah will be back in Cedar City, Utah to take on Sacramento State University on Thursday, Sept. 19, at 1 p.m. This game can be viewed in person at the Thunderbird Soccer Field or can be streamed on ESPN+.
Author: Jack Paul
Photographer: Katie Anderson
Editor: SUU News Copy Editor
