The Southern Utah University athletic season has begun, with women’s soccer as one of the first sports to kick off the fall semester. The team recently recorded its largest win in program history, but there were six other games that haven’t gotten recaps yet.
The Thunderbirds are 3-4 this year, already matching their win total from last year. After opening the year with a 2-1 record, SUU had a three-game slide before their triumphant 18-0 win on Sunday, Sept. 6. Here are some quick refreshers to get fans caught up on how the season has shaken out so far.
College of Charleston
The Thunderbirds opened the season in Charleston, S.C., on Wednesday, Aug. 12. Although scoring the first goal of the game and the T-Birds’ season, they allowed three unanswered scores and fell 3-1.
Southern Utah’s goal came just 11 minutes into the game when forward Kayleigh Acree scored on an assist from Gracen Blieschke.
The Cougars responded with two goals just four minutes apart and took the lead 2-1. The Thunderbirds were unable to answer back as Charleston scored again to win 3-1.
South Carolina State
Southern Utah got their first win of the season in Orangeburg, S.C., on Friday, Aug. 14. This also marked the first career win for rookie head coach Steven Lindquist.
The game started an hour behind schedule due to lightning. When the delay was over, the Thunderbirds were all over the pitch, constantly attacking South Carolina’s goal.
Blieschke had a fantastic day for the Thunderbirds, including a shot that hit off the left post just before the half. The game went into halftime scoreless.
Southern Utah got right back to business after the half. Acree found Blieschke for an assist as the latter successfully scored the winning goal. The T-Birds came out on top 1-0.
The Citadel
SUU suited up for their third game in six days on Monday, Aug. 17, heading back to Charleston to face the Citadel Bulldogs.
In the first half, with about three minutes left, a takeaway by Ashtyn Ivey sent the ball to Sophia Memory, who shot too high for the opposing goalkeeper to reach as the Thunderbirds took a 1-0 lead.
The Citadel had a chance to tie it after a SUU penalty inside the box, awarding them a penalty kick. The kick was on goal, but freshman goalkeeper Tatum Trout made an impressive block to deny them the equalizing score. SUU was able to hold off the Bulldogs and earn another close win.
University of Utah
After their road trip to South Carolina, SUU headed west to face off against the University of Utah on Saturday, Aug. 22.
The game was a battle in the first 30 minutes, with both teams playing hard as the score remained 0-0. The weather took a turn for the worse, with high winds impacting both teams. The wind assisted the Utes on their first goal when a pass got a massive boost and cleared the arms of Trout.
Shortly after, for the second time this season, the game was delayed by almost three hours due to lightning. The weather eventually cleared, and the teams were allowed to continue the match.
Utah then added to their lead by scoring two more goals in quick succession. Southern Utah created a couple of chances but were never able to capitalize on any of them. The game came to a close with the Utes emerging victorious, 3-0.
Sacramento State
The Thunderbirds hit the road again, this time traveling to Sacramento, Calif. to take on the Sac State Hornets on Thursday, Aug. 27.
The game was immediately eventful, with Trout having to block a potential Hornets goal within the first minute. The T-Birds were able to regain control and keep constant pressure on Sacramento State.
The first score of the game came on a goal by Halle Cowan on a sliding kick in the box that put SUU up 1-0 before the half. The Thunderbirds held on to that lead and took it into the next period.
In the second half, Sac State found the equalizing score in the 60th minute. Just three minutes later, the Hornets scored another goal to put the Thunderbirds under for good and won 2-1.
UC Irvine
For their first home game of the year, SUU hosted the University of California, Irvine on Thursday, Sept. 3.
This was the hardest-fought game so far this season for the Thunderbirds. They battled with the Anteaters for 83 minutes as neither team scored and Trout racked up two saves.
With just six minutes left, UCI’s Mimi Dominguez found the back of the net for what would be the only goal of the game. This marked SUU’s second shutout loss of the year.
Justice University
After the hardship of a less-than-stellar start to the year, SUU completely turned things around in their most recent game. The team recorded a program-best 18 goals and 16 assists in one of the most lopsided victories in T-Bird history.
On top of the momentum shift, this game saw two SUU players etch their names in the school record books and made Southern Utah one of the few schools to record 18 goals in one game.
However, this game is too interesting to fully expound on in this article, so readers can find our in-depth recap here.
Up next
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: Andrew Streeter and Payson Davis
Photograph by SUU Athletics
Editor: Payson Davis
