Head coach Kai Edwards reacts to the end of the soccer season.
In the final game of the season, the Southern Utah University women’s soccer team suffered an 8-1 loss to rival Utah Tech University on Sunday, Nov. 2 at Greater Zion Stadium in St. George.
A win would’ve put SUU in the Western Athletic Conference Postseason Tournament, but the Trailblazers were too formidable and dominated the game from start to finish.
SUU’s final season record is 3-12-3 and finished 2-7-1 in the WAC, putting them at the bottom of the conference. Utah Tech ends with an 8-7-4 record and a 4-4-2 conference standing, earning them the three seed in the WAC.
SUU was outscored 28-3 in their last eight games, and ended the season on a four-game winless streak.
First half
The game started out aggressive, as Utah Tech forward Lacy Fox scored within three minutes on her second shot. Just six minutes later, forward Avery Kyle had an incredible arcing shot from deep that equalized the game. It was the redshirt senior’s second goal and SUU’s final goal of the season.
The scoring was quieted for about 20 minutes, during which both teams had two shots on goal. Forward Ella Rusick and midfielder Bre Koscielski both scored within four minutes of each other to put the Trailblazers up 3-1 with 12 minutes left in the half.
Nicole Choren fouled forward Sarah Assumma in the box a few minutes later, setting SUU up for a penalty kick. Midfielder Aubrie Labno nearly scored, but the ball went wide and hit off the post.
Two minutes later, Utah Tech scored again off the foot of Lataya Brost. The redshirt sophomore from Orem, Utah was one of the most aggressive shooters in the conference this year. She won WAC Offensive Player of the Week after recording a hat trick and setting Utah Tech’s Division One-era single-game point record with seven.
The T-Birds had three consecutive shots to end the half, but none were on-target. While they put up a fight with nine shots and five on-target, SUU was down 4-1 at halftime.
Second half
The Trailblazers opened the half with five straight shots in the first eight minutes, with the last two being back-to-back goals from freshman forward Jocelyn Wright and Brost.
Five minutes later, SUU goalie Jazmyn Brass was replaced by junior Esme Barnes, bringing Brass’ SUU tenure to a close. She had four saves but allowed a season-high six goals, being substituted for the fourth time this year.
Barnes allowed two goals within one and a half minutes to sophomore Lexi Nelson and Brost. This was the second game in their last three that the T-Birds allowed eight goals. They didn’t allow more than four in any other game.
SUU had six more shots over the rest of the game, but the only one on-target was shot by forward Bridget Guevara. The freshman from Las Vegas hadn’t recorded a shot since Sept. 21.
Utah Tech ended the game with three straight on-target shots that were all saved by Barnes. Despite fighting to stay in the game and preserve their season, SUU lost 8-1 and was eliminated from conference playoff contention.
Top T-Birds
— Barnes had five saves after allowing two early goals.
— Sicily Clark, Aubrey Murray and Nao Yasuda all played 82+ minutes.
— Whitney Gardner had five shots with two on-target and an assist.
— Kyle had a goal and two shots.
T-Bird season leaders
— Assumma led SUU with four goals and 11 points.
— SUU’s assist leader was Yasuda with four.
— Gardner led the T-Birds with 43 shots and 23 shots on goal.
— Murray led the team with 1,385 minutes played.
— Kyle led the team with a 72.7% shot on goal percentage.
Notable departures
Assumma, Brass, Gardner, Kyle, Labno and Murray are some notable T-Birds who will be graduating after this year.
Gardner will be among the most-sorely missed, as she set SUU’s all-time point and assist records this year after being a Thunderbird her entire career. She ended her college tenure with 15 assists and 51 points.
Author: Payson Davis
Photographer: SUU Athletics
Editor: Jack Paul
