Women's Soccer 10/30/2011 12:03:00 AM SUU Strategic Communication

Thunderbirds End Season With Victory Over UMKC

CEDAR CITY, Utah – Southern Utah won its second consecutive match Saturday, taking a 4-1 decision over visiting UMKC. The Thunderbird offense finished the season strong recording 10 combined goals in the final two games of the year. The recent offensive outburst helped this year's team set new single season records in assists (23), goals (28) and overall points (79).

“Today the girls showed what they are capable of doing,” commented head coach Brian Stock after the game. “I am very proud of the way they played.”

The Thunderbirds gave their coach plenty to be proud of in the match as they aggressively battled for the ball throughout the day. Southern Utah's pressure lead to their opening score in the 22nd minute when junior forward Shelby Ostler gathered a loose ball in the box and was able to beat the keeper for her fourth goal of the season and put SUU out in front, 1-0.

A foul call on the Kangaroos in the 40th minute would set up Southern Utah's second goal of the match. The Thunderbirds were able to put a well-placed free kick in the box where the ball bounced around until senior midfielder Riley Bassett played it to Vanessa Lilii who tapped one in for her first goal as a T-Bird. With the pass Bassett set a new mark for SUU with her sixth assist this season and is also the school's all-time leader in the category with 12 in her career. The match would also see another Thunderbird pick up their first goal for SUU as Amanda Humphreys took the ball from the UMKC goalkeeper and put it away to give Southern Utah a 3-0 advantage at the break.

The Thunderbirds continued the attack from the very start of the second half. Junior forward Stacey Brinkman took the opening kickoff and played the ball to Bassett. The senior midfielder fired a shot from just across the midfield line that bounced just in front of and then up and over the UMKC goalkeeper. The ball found the back of the net to give Southern Utah its fourth goal of the game.

“We worked on that play earlier this year and that was an unbelievable goal,” stated Stock. “I was happy to see Riley being aggressive and she has really learned to look to score.”

UMKC would break up the shutout with less than ten minutes remaining in the match as Kaely Tott connected with Allision Schau for a header on a corner kick to set the final score a 4-1 in favor of SUU.

The victory was a special one for Southern Utah who honored three seniors before the game. Midfielders Elyse Osborne, Riley Bassett and defender Allyson Duda all completed outstanding careers for the Thunderbirds.

“In recruiting I work to bring in good individuals who are all unique and special in different ways,” said Stock of his seniors. “Those three have all been a spark and a presence on this team throughout their careers.”

With the defeat UMKC will take a conference record of 6-2-1 into the Summit League Tournament next week. Southern Utah finishes the year with a final record of 4-11-3 while going 2-6-0 in league play.

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

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

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

#17 Allyson Duda: D; 5' 5"; Senior

#4 Amanda Humphreys: F; 5' 7"; Junior

#3 Vanessa Lilii: MF; 5' 8"; Sophomore

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

#23 Shelby Ostler: F; 5' 5"; Junior

Players Mentioned

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

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

#17 Allyson Duda
: 5' 5"; Senior
: D

#4 Amanda Humphreys
: 5' 7"; Junior
: F

#3 Vanessa Lilii
: 5' 8"; Sophomore
: MF

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

#23 Shelby Ostler
: 5' 5"; Junior
: F