In one of the most overwhelming sports victories in school history, the Southern Utah University women’s soccer team defeated Justice University by a score of 18-0 on Sunday, Sept. 6 in Cedar City.
This is just the 17th time a Division 1 women’s soccer team has scored at least 18 goals in a game, with the most recent example coming in 2004. This is also just the 11th time a team recorded 16 assists in a game and the first since the year 2000.
SUU now holds a 3-4 record, already matching their win total from last season. They’re more than halfway towards breaking the team’s single-season goals record with 11 games to go. This was their first game this season where they scored more than once.
The T-Birds came into the match on a three-game losing streak, but their momentum has now been completely reversed. The previous SUU record for biggest shutout was a pair of 10-0 wins that happened in 2015 and 2022 respectively.
A pair of Thunderbirds also put themselves in the history books with this game. Forward Ashtyn Ivey became just the fourth SUU player with three goals in a game, while freshman defender Keira Barker tied a school record with three assists.
First half
The T-Birds didn’t waste any time in this game. Midfielder Sophia Memory weaved down the field to score SUU’s first goal after four minutes of play while Halle Cowan scored one herself just three minutes later.
After a small lull in action, Southern Utah scored five times in four minutes. Karolina Jasaityte started the onslaught with an incredible corner kick while Gracen Blieschke showed out with two goals and an assist in that time.
SUU scored four more times over the remainder of the period. They led 11-0 after the first half.
Second half
Seeing as how the game was already completely out of reach for Justice University, both teams used the second half to let as many players as possible rack up time on the field.
Both freshman Sofia Alcorn and Ivey scored twice in this half, giving Ivey the first SUU hat trick since Sammie Sofonia did it in back-to-back games in 2022.
The game nearly ended with a score of 17-0, but Stella Luts hit the net one more time in the 89th minute to place the cherry on top.
Top T-Birds
— Ivey scored three goals off the bench in just 40 minutes of playing time.
— Barker recorded four points, with a record three assists and one goal.
— Alcorn, Blieschke and Ashlyn O’Malley each had two goals. O’Malley also had an assist while Blieschke had two.
— There were 13 T-Birds who scored a goal and 10 who recorded an assist.
— Goalie Kaitlin Bustos held down the net for 45 minutes, recording zero saves but allowing zero goals.
Next up
SUU will host California State University, Northridge in Cedar City at the Thunderbird Soccer Field on Sunday, Sept. 13 at 1 p.m. The game will be streamed live on ESPN+.
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Author: Payson Davis
Photograph by SUU Athletics
Editor: Briar Adams
