Women's Soccer 10/11/2011 7:24:00 PM SUU Strategic Communication

Thunderbirds and Wolverines Battle to a 3-3 Draw

OREM, Utah – The Southern Utah Thunderbirds and Utah Valley Wolverines played a back-and-forth match that finally ended in a 3-3 draw in the latest installment of what has become an exciting in-state rivalry between the two schools. UVU took an early 2-0 lead but SUU battled back to even the score in the second half. Then with the game winding down the Wolverines snuck a shot past Thunderbird goalkeeper Breana Fitzgerald to recapture the lead. The Thunderbirds continued to fight and with less than five minutes remaining Stacey Brinkman angled a corner-kick in the box where it deflected off the UVU keeper and into the net for the equalizer. The two overtime periods saw numerous scoring chances, but neither side was able to net the game winner and the match concluded at a 3-3 stalemate.

The Thunderbirds found themselves in the hole early after a defensive miscue allowed the Wolverines to tally the opening score less than a minute into the match. The goal came when Utah Valley drove down the field on their initial attack and played the ball into the box where Regan Clifford fired it into the back of the net to give UVU a 1-0 lead.

“The first five minutes of the match are the most difficult of the game. Things like that happen all of the time, when players' emotions are heightened and they haven't settled in yet,” said Stock of the early goal. “I was proud that our team didn't panic and continued to play hard.”

The Thunderbirds found themselves in another tough spot later in the first half when Fitzgerald was given a yellow card after charging a Wolverine attacker. Utah Valley midfielder Camille Broderick converted the resulting penalty kick to make the score 2-0 in favor of UVU.

Southern Utah would cut the deficit in half just minutes later when midfielder Riley Bassett found Elyse Osborne open on the right side. The senior midfielder fired a shot that went through the goalkeeper's hands for her second goal of the season and put the SUU on the board for a 2-1 score at the break.

In the 59th minute the Thunderbirds found themselves with a significant scoring opportunity when a foul gave them a free kick in Utah Valley's half of the field. Morgan Bridge was able to bend the ball in the box where it was redirected into the net by Bassett to level the score at 2-2.

Then with less than fifteen minutes remaining in regulation Regan Clifford notched her second goal of the game to put the Wolverines back out in front 3-2. With the clock winding down the Thunderbirds set up for a corner kick taken by Stacey Brinkman. The junior forward was able to angle the ball in front of the goal where it bounced off the goalkeeper and into the net for the equalizer. Neither team was able to put in a game-winner in the overtime periods as the two teams played to a 3-3 draw.

“UVU is a tough team, but we played hard and it was a great soccer match to watch,” commented Stock after the game. “I think our girls showed a lot of character. They had to overcome a lot of difficult circumstances, but we were able to rally twice, once from being down two goals and then by one. The fact that we were able to go on the road and score three goals is something to celebrate.”

This was the first tie of the season for the Wolverines who now have a record of 6-6-1. Southern Utah currently holds an overall record of 2-7-3 and is still seeking its first Summit League win of the year. The Thunderbirds will play their first conference matches at home this week as they host Western Illinois at 4:00 p.m. this Thursday, which will be followed by a matchup with IUPUI on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. Saturday's match will be the annual Breast Cancer Awareness Game featuring special souvenirs, concessions and a raffle.

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Players Mentioned

#10 Riley Bassett: MF; 5' 11"; Senior

#9 Morgan Bridge: MF; 5' 7"; Junior

#7 Stacey Brinkman: F; 5' 8"; Junior

#30 Breana Fitzgerald: GK; 5' 9"; Redshirt Sophomore

#5 Elyse Osborne: MF; 5' 4"; Senior

Players Mentioned

#10 Riley Bassett
: 5' 11"; Senior
: MF

#9 Morgan Bridge
: 5' 7"; Junior
: MF

#7 Stacey Brinkman
: 5' 8"; Junior
: F

#30 Breana Fitzgerald
: 5' 9"; Redshirt Sophomore
: GK

#5 Elyse Osborne
: 5' 4"; Senior
: MF