The Southern Utah University soccer team will look to get back on track as they are set to take on Seattle University at home on Thursday, Oct. 3, at 4 p.m. The Thunderbirds will then host in-state opponent Utah Valley University on Sunday, Oct. 6, at 1 p.m. Both games can be streamed on ESPN+.
Southern Utah
The Thunderbirds have posted a 2-6-3 overall record and are now 0-1 in the Western Athletic Conference, having lost their last matchup to California Baptist University 5-1. The team will be looking to get its first-ever conference win against Seattle, and their fifth against Utah Valley all-time.
Sarah Assumma and Whitney Gardner have been bright spots for Southern Utah, combining for seven goals and four assists on the season. SUU have struggled to score outside of Assumma and Gardner though, averaging just one goal a game.
A win against a conference opponent this early would prove to be very beneficial for the Thunderbirds to improve their record and build confidence. Southern Utah is 2-2-1 at home and 0-4-2 on the road.
Seattle U
Having beaten Abilene Christian University, Seattle is riding momentum entering their matchup with the Thunderbirds. Seattle has boasted a 6-2-3 record this season and is 1-0 in conference play. While Seattle is 3-0 all-time against Southern Utah, they have never played each other in Cedar City. This game is part of a two-game road trip where they will also be stopping by WAC opponent Utah Tech.
Seattle has some big-time players who will be looking to make some big-time plays. Defender Alana Lamb who was named to the “Top Drawer Soccer” Team of the Week. As a defender, Lamb scored her first two career goals on the season and has tallied five points total on the year.
Utah Valley
UVU is 9-4-3 all-time against Southern Utah, including the last time these teams met. UVU is fresh off a win against Tarleton where they dominated 5-2. The Wolverines are tied for first in the WAC and are early favorites to win it all.
UVU has some standout players that will be looking to make big impacts. Faith Webber is on a tear this season having scored 10 goals on the season and 22 points total. The biggest question mark for UVU will be goalkeeping. CJ Graham has seen most of the playing time in front of the net, but split time with Leah Wolf in their most recent game. Both goalkeepers combined are giving up an average of 2.24 goals a game.
Author: Preston Ferry
Photographer: Katie Anderson
Editor: Jack Paul
