Southern University Utah women’s soccer team faced off against Abilene Christian University on Thursday, Oct. 17, and Tarleton State University on Sunday, Oct. 20. Southern Utah secured a 1-1 draw against Abilene Christian, but fell to Tarleton State 1-0. Southern Utah is now 2-9-5 overall.
Match against Abilene Christian
The Thunderbirds had possession for a majority of the first half, but only took three shots. However, the defense played great against the ACU attack by only allowing three shots.
Southern Utah opened the scoring at the 28 minute mark when Steph Roper kicked a great pass from the outside and found Hailey Hamataka, who got it past ACU goalkeeper Lili Ross for her second goal of the season. The Thunderbirds led 1-0 at the half.
Momentum completely flipped in the Wildcat’s favor for the second half. They held the Thunderbirds to just two shots.
The Thunderbirds kept most of the goals out of the net, but Amelia Miller tied the game at 1-1 at the 60 minute mark. Shots were exchanged in the time remaining, but the game ended in a 1-1 draw.
Match against Tarleton State
This was a must win game for both teams because it held weight in postseason position. The game was shaping out to be a high-scoring affair as the teams played with a lot of aggression on both sides of the ball.
Stevie Reynolds scored at the 23-minute mark off a shot near the goalie box, scoring the game’s only goal.
Southern Utah did everything they could to stay in the game, taking 14 shots and remarkably shot nine of them on target, but could not get it past Mikayla Kendall.
A standout opportunity to tie the game happened when a shot hit the crossbar twice and nearly went in, but Kendall saved it at the last moment. Ultimately, nothing worked in their favor. The Thunderbirds lost the game to the Texans 1-0.
Key Stats
— SUU was outshot 14-5, but only allowed four shots on target for the Wildcats.
— Roper earned her fourth assist of the year and leads the team.
— Both goalkeepers had nine saves.
— Reynolds scored her third goal of the year.
What’s Next?
Southern Utah plays their last regular season game of the year at home against Utah Tech University on Saturday, Oct. 26, at 1 p.m. This game can be streamed on ESPN+.
Author: Jacob McQueary
Photographer: Gannon Lovisa
Editor: Jack Paul
