CEDAR CITY, Utah - Construction has started at the SUU Soccer Field, which will lead to an improved playing surface and a change in direction for the athletes and coaches.

Come August 13 when SUU plays their home opener in an exhibition contest against Utah State, the field will run from east to west. This will allow fans to sit on the grass hill on the south side of the field with a better vantage point.

“It will be massive. The benefit is measured in 1,000 different ways,” SUU head coach Becky Hogan said about the upgrade to the field.

Hogan said the improvements will help with recruiting, help reduce the injury rate, and allow the team to play the style they want by keeping it on the ground and keeping possession.

Construction has been underway for a few weeks, and the old sod has been removed. Scheduled for next week will be the installation of new sod and sprinkler heads, and then from June 1 to August 1 the area will be completely off limits in order for the playing surface to be pristine come game time.

Hogan said the players are extremely excited about the changes, and thankful that the improvements are happening.

“They're stoked,” she said. “It's one of the things that was always out there and talked about, but never really came to fruition. But with this administration and their commitment to really taking us to the next level, I think they saw it as something that had to be improved on from a risk management standpoint, but also making it more of a showcase piece.”