CEDAR CITY, Utah - The Southern Utah women's soccer team opened the 2016 campaign on Saturday with an exhibition against Utah State that ended in a 1-1 tie thanks to late game heroics from the Thunderbirds.

When asked about how the team played after the game, coach Hogan said, “I think the team looks super good. I mean we have a lot of room for improvements with some fitness, possession, and service. We still turned the ball over a lot, but the kids were making adjustments within the game which shows a nice maturity. They are making adjustments on the field and they are good communicators and our leadership is excellent.”

At the end of the first half the score was left at 0-0, but SUU had a 3-2 advantage in shots going into the second half. Halfway through the second half USU would take the lead on a goal by midfielder Wesley Hamblin.

Down 1-0 with less than four minutes to go, SUU would tie things up when sophomore forward Devri Hartle put one in the back of the net, assisted by senior Shelby Green.

“I have honestly not smiled that big in a long time. I just saw Shelby coming and I kind of just bounced around and then it was coming to me and I was like 'I got this' and I just tapped it in.” Hartle said about the game-tying goal.

The final minutes would see neither side be able to jump out on top for the win resulting, in the 1-1 tie.

The team will be heading out to Boca Raton, Florida next Friday, August 19th, to take on the Florida Atlantic Owls in their first game of the regular season.