LARAMIE, Wyo. - The Southern Utah University soccer team hit the road once again this weekend, getting things started Friday evening with a match against the University of Wyoming. Despite a strong performance from the Thunderbird back line, the team suffered their third loss of the season, falling 3-1 to the Cowgirls.

"Overall, I was pretty pleased with the performance. We just need to stay on track with what we are doing and keeping getting better with every game," head coach Fred Thompson said following the loss. "The energy today was absolutely fantastic and the defense looked pretty strong despite the three goals. As a team we are considerably smaller than Wyoming, but in the second half you couldn't tell that. Physically we are right there with everything we do. We just need to focus a little harder and be a little stronger each game."

The Thunderbirds were able to keep pace with the Cowgirls in the opening half, matching them shot for shot with three each. Unfortunately, one of the Cowgirls three shots was able to find the back of the net as Alisha Bass headed a cross from Tristan Tyrrell under the crossbar for her first goal of the season. Wyoming took a 1-0 lead into halftime.

The Cowgirls put up two more goals early in the second half, scoring in the 51st and 57th minutes making it 3-0 with just over 30 minutes left to play. MaKenzie Lawrence scored the lone goal for the Thunderbirds in the 84th minute of play, when Ally Thimsen's shot deflected off the Cowgirl goalkeeper and Lawrence finished it off for her first goal of the season.

In what has become a silver lining for the Thunderbirds so far this season, the team kept their fouling to a minimum for the third straight game, being out-fouled by the Cowgirls 11-5.

"Even though we are facing a lot of challenges right now, it is important to keep in mind that it is forcing toughness," Thompson said. "It is forcing us to fight and face adversity every single game and we will be better for it in the end. Sunday will be a real good test for us."

The Thunderbirds will now head back to the southwest for a matchup with the reigning Mountain West champions, the UNLV Rebels. Kickoff is set for 2:00 p.m. Mountain time on Sunday.

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