CEDAR CITY, Utah – The Southern Utah University soccer team had an early lead in the matchup against Northern Arizona University on Thursday, Oct. 15. Ashlyn O’Malley scored the only goal for SUU, and the Thunderbirds weren’t able to break the tie and the match ended 1-1.
Following this matchup, the Thunderbirds are now 4-7-3 for the season and 1-2-2 in Big Sky Conference play. Northern Arizona now sits at 6-4-3 for the season and 2-0-1 in conference play.
The matchup
O’Malley was able to score early at 12:56 with an assist from Sicily Clark, putting the T-Birds ahead for the first half and bringing her to four scores so far this season. O’Malley led Southern Utah with three shots, and Clark followed with two shots throughout the match.
Eight of the 11 shots taken after halftime were taken by the Thunderbirds in an attempt to take back the lead. Kayleigh Acree and Suika Shibutani also contributed two shots each to the Thunderbird offense.
Northern Arizona’s lone score was earned by Valerie Llamas with a penalty kick. However, freshman SUU goalkeeper Tatum Trout had a great game, making three saves in the first half to keep the T-Birds ahead, and finishing the game with five individual saves.
Rylan Tebbs, Ashlyn Woodbury and Nao Yasuda played the full 90-minute regulation alongside Trout.
SUU has now drawn three games against NAU in their last four meetings and will be looking for a victory the next time the two compete.
Next game
The T-Birds will be hosting the University of Northern Colorado later this week on Sunday, Oct. 18. The Bears 4-5-3 for the season and 1-0-1 in Big Sky play going into this weekend.
The matchup will take place at the Thunderbird Soccer Field on Sunday, Oct. 18, with kickoff set for 1 p.m. The game will also be streamed live on ESPN+.
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Author: Lexie Nelson
Photo by SUU Athletics
Editor: Payson Davis
sports@suunews.net
