Hitting the road for the first time in conference play, the Southern Utah University women’s soccer team will head to Texas to face Tarleton State University on Thursday, Oct. 2, at 6 p.m. Following this game, SUU will face Abilene Christian University on Saturday, Oct. 4, at 12 p.m.
Both these games can be streamed on ESPN+.
Southern Utah
It has been a slow start to the season for Kai Edwards and the T-Birds. SUU is 1-6-2 on the year and 0-1 in the Western Athletic Conference. The T-Birds dropped their conference opener to Utah Tech University 2-1.
One reason for the early struggles is the offensive production. SUU is averaging one goal a game in nine games. SUU’s leading goal scorers are Whitney Gardner and Sarah Assumma. Both girls have scored two goals a piece.
Defensively, SUU has had issues holding teams scoreless. Opponents are averaging 2.2 goals a game off of goalkeeper Jazmyn Brass. If SUU wants to earn their first WAC win of the year, the defense needs to find a way to slow down the offense of Tarleton State and Abilene Christian.
Tarleton State
Despite the Texans entering this week on a two-game losing streak, Tarleton State sits at a strong 6-4-2 record overall. The Texans have been dominant at home, posting a 4-1-2 home record.
Unlike the T-Birds, Tarleton State is averaging 2.25 goals a game and 13.2 shots per game. Senior forward Stevie Reynolds has been on a tear to start the season. Reynolds leads the WAC in goals with nine and total points with 22.
As for the goalkeeping, Tarleton State has used two main goalkeepers to protect the net. Emma Barnes has seen a bulk of the time as lead goalkeeper starting eight of the nine games she has appeared in.
Abilene Christian
The Wildcats are entering this week 4-7 on the year and 0-2 in conference play. ACU has struggled in WAC play, getting outscored 7-2 in two games.
Abilene Christian has struggled mightily on the offense. In their 11 games, ACU has yet to score more than one point in a game. Abby Smith has been the only source ofoffense for the Wildcats with her three goals.
Although ACU has struggled on offense, the defense has been elite to begin the year. Abilene Christian has held their opponents scoreless in four games.
Southern Utah is 2-1 all-time against Tarleton State and 1-0-2 against Abilene Christian.
Author: Jack Paul
Photographer: SUU Athletics
Editor: Brooklyn Beard
