OREM, Utah - Southern Utah University's sophomore defender Rachel Krenzer's leaping block in the final minutes of the match preserved the Thunderbirds 1-1 tie with University of Northern Colorado in a neutral site match played on the Utah Valley University campus Friday afternoon.
With the score tied at 1-1 with just over four minutes into the second and final overtime period, SUU (2-1-1) saw a UNC (4-2-1) pass slip through the defense that for split second seemed as if it would be whistled as offsides on the Bears. Both teams had stopped play in anticipation of the whistle but it never came, allowing the ball to roll towards the SUU goal with no SUU defenders in site. UNC's Brittany Dunn broke for the ball behind the Thunderbirds and beat a charging SUU keeper Charly Booth to the loose ball. Dunn dribbled past Booth and seemed primed to kick the match-winner into an empty net but out of nowhere came a leaping Krenzer who blocked Dunn's kick and out of bounds to keep it tied.
"Rachel's effort on that play was what we need to happen to be successful not only today but for the season," 10th-year head coach Brian Stock exclaimed. "That was a great college soccer match and she made one of best hustle plays I have ever seen in order to give us a chance."
Playing for the first time in 13 days, the Thunderbirds found themselves out in front early as Stacey Brinkman gained control of a loose ball just inside the right side of the 18-yard area. After gaining possession, with her back to the goal, the redshirt-sophomore forward spun to her right and fired a left-footed shot towards the far left post that glanced off it and in for her second goal of the season.
The Bears would later put together some attacks the rest of the half, taking 10 shots but was turned away as Booth and the SUU defense held strong to own a 1-0 lead at the half. UNC finished with a 10-4 advantage in shots and a 6-0 advantage in corner kicks through the first 45 minutes.
UNC opened the second half with a couple more offensive pressures before eventually breaking through as Danielle Birdsall put one into the top right corner in the 54th minute to tie it at 1-1.
Each team had a couple chances turned away in the late minutes of regulation but none better than the Thunderbirds had in the 88th minute. Brinkman and sophomore forward Missy Lazcano were on the attack deep in UNC territory and after Lazcano took a pass, was able to kick one past the Bears keeper but it was waved off for being offsides, ending SUU's hopes of posting a last-minute victory.
UNC posted a 7-2 advantage in the overtime periods but Booth and SUU defense, highlighted by Kramer's block, kept the Bears off the board.
Booth finished with a career-high 10 saves as the Thunderbirds extended their unbeaten streak to three matches.
Southern Utah continues on the road, facing Idaho State University in Pocatello, Ida. at 1 p.m. on Sunday.
