THUNDERBIRDS TAKE ON THE AGGIES IN EXHIBITION
Southern Utah University is set to begin the 2012 season with an exhibition match at Utah State University this Saturday at 12:00 p.m. This will be the second straight year that the two teams open play against each other after the Aggies came away with a 1-0 win to start things off in Cedar City last fall. Live stats as well as a live video stream of the match will be available at suutbirds.com.
T-BIRDS ENTER FIRST SEASON IN THE BIG SKY
There promises to be a lot of change for the Southern Utah University Soccer program this fall as the Thunderbirds prepare to enter their premier season in the Big Sky Conference under new head coach Becky Hogan. “The Big Sky is full of parity, on any day any team could win so you don't ever get a day off,” explains head coach Becky Hogan. “It's a league with a higher level of technical of players, a lot of good coaches and very good soccer.”
ABOUT THE UTAH STATE AGGIES
The Aggies are coming off their first NCAA Tournament appearance after capturing their first WAC Tournament title last season. Two-time WAC Defensive Player of the Year Natalie Norris is back for her senior season at USU along with junior all-conference selection Kendra Pemberton. Head Coach Heather Cairns is back for her 10th season at Utah State, during which time she has led her team to an overall record of 90-75-19.
LOOKING AHEAD
Southern Utah will open its regular season by hosting UC-Riverside next Sunday at 4 p.m. The two teams met last season in California where the Highlanders took a 2-0 win behind goals from Kayde Hensley and Vanessa Ybarra. The Thunderbirds will then return to the road for an August 23 matchup with the University of Utah.
NEW THUNDERBIRD SOCCER ASSISTANT
First-year Southern Utah soccer head coach Becky Hogan will be joined by new assistant Adam Farsi on the sidelines this fall. Farsi most recently worked with the Idaho State University Women's Soccer program while also serving as a captain and assistant coach for the ISU Men's Club team. He has also spent time at the both the club and high school levels and will bring 10 years of coaching experience to his post with the SUU Soccer team. As a coach Farsi has earned various certifications including his USSF D license, NSCAA Advanced Regional Diploma, NFHS Training and ASEP Certification. “I'm thrilled that Adam is joining the coaching staff. He brings an unparalleled passion for the game and attention to detail that will help elevate this program to the next level,” said Hogan.
2012 Southern Utah Soccer Notes
• The Southern Utah Soccer program is set to begin its first season as a member of the Big Sky Conference, after competing in the Summit League (formerly known as the Mid-Continent Conference) since its inception in 2001.
• The Thunderbirds return seven starters from a team that posted a record of 4-11-3 during the 2011 season in a schedule that saw SUU match up with Big Sky opponents Idaho State, Northern Arizona and the University of Montana.
• The 2011 team also set record marks for the school with 28 goals and 78 points.
• Forward Stacey Brinkman tallied a team-high six goals last fall to move into second place in the Southern Utah record books with 14 career goals. She also ranks third in program history with eight assists.
• Southern Utah had two players receive conference honors last season, as Stacey Brinkman was named to the All-Summit League Second Team while Kirsten Anthony earned a spot on the all-newcomer team. Both Brinkman and Anthony are back for he Thunderbirds in the 2012 season.
• The 2012 SUU Women's Soccer team welcomes 11 newcomers including, Kaleigh Bosen (Peoria, Ariz.), Nancy Brich (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.), Tessa Christensen (Salt Lake City, Utah), Sydney Cook (Lehi, Utah), Mackenxie Espiritu (Las Vegas, Nev.), Mackenzie Moreno (Folsom, Calif.), Emma Pasley (St. George, Utah), Laura Rivera (Thousand Oaks, Calif.), Savannah Spere (Salt Lake City, Utah), Madison Wood (Layton, Utah) and Rachel Wright (Salt Lake City, Utah).
