EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Southern Utah soccer team opened the 2018 regular season Friday night on the road with a 2-0 loss to the Michigan State Spartans.

"We came out just a tad timid. We were playing good soccer, but at the same time it was an event for some of us and it took us a little while to settle in," head coach Fred Thompson said. "I think we played very well and it dawned on us that if we play and do what we are supposed to do we can compete with anybody. As far as a starting point for a season, I think it is a fantastic place to be."

The Spartans came out firing in the first half, outshooting the Thunderbirds by 13 shots. They took a 2-0 lead in the half as Sadie Misiewicz scored in the 22nd minute and then again in the 31st minute of play.

"Today was definitely a tale of two halves. The second half was much better than the first half. Although the first half started well, we ran into a couple difficulties and couldn't overcome them right away," Thompson said. "The second half we stepped up, played very hard, and earned the 0-0 half. It would have been nice to have both halves be the same, but I thought we got better before the end of the game."

The Thunderbirds played a much better second half in East Lansing, holding the Spartans to just six shots while rattling off three shots of their own. Danielle Meuret had the lone shot on goal in the 80th minute.

Brianna Aldridge started the game in goal for the Thunderbirds, making nine saves in her Southern Utah debut. Goalkeepers made nine or more saves just once in 2017.

"Bri still has to work her way into it. The games are obviously different than practice, no matter how hard we try to get to that level of intensity," Thompson said. "Just as she grew throughout the Utah State game, she grew throughout this game. I think she is just going to continue to get better and better."

The Thunderbirds will now travel to Mount Pleasant, Michigan to take on the Central Michigan Chippewas Sunday afternoon. The Chippewas lost 3-1 to No. 14 Notre Dame Thursday to open their season.

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