CEDAR CITY, Utah - The Southern Utah University women's soccer team will continue their previously postponed match against Utah Tech Friday afternoon, as the Thunderbirds will face a 1-0 deficit with 45 minutes to play when the contest resumes. 

Game Information

Southern Utah vs Utah Tech 

Date: October 13, 2022

Kickoff: 3 PM MT

Location: Cedar City, Utah

Stream: Unavailable

Live Stats: Link

Preview

Southern Utah and Utah Tech originally began their match on October 2;  however, after 45 minutes of play, the contest was postponed due to weather conditions in the area. 

The Trailblazers managed to score a goal 22 minutes into the contest, and they will hold a 1-0 advantage when the teams resume play Friday afternoon.

Southern Utah currently sits in third place in the WAC standings with a conference mark of 4-1-1, while the Trailblazers rank first in the WAC with a record of 5-0-1 against conference opponents. 

Utah Tech has won back-to-back contests against Sam Houston and New Mexico State since completing the first half of the match against SUU. 

Junior forward Karli Nyland has led the way for Utah Tech offensively this season, amassing a team-high five goals, including the Trailblazers' goal 22 minutes into the match against Southern Utah prior to the postponement. Nyland has also tallied one assist for a team-high 11 points this year. 

The Trailblazers have excelled on the defensive side of the pitch throughout the year, as Senior goalkeeper Kayla Thompson has started all 12 contests for Utah Tech, allowing just six goals while making 49 saves. Thompson has also amassed eight shutouts in her 12 starts this season.

Utah Tech's backline has done an exceptional job of consistently helping Thompson, as their four defenders have remained the same in 11 of 12 matches this season.

The Thunderbirds dropped a road contest to New Mexico State following the first half of the match against Utah Tech, but they managed to bounce back this past Sunday, dominating Sam Houston at home to earn a 2-0 victory over the Bearkats. 

Redshirt-freshman forward Whitney Wangsgard scored her sixth goal of the season, as she has now scored or assisted in all but one WAC contest this year and ranks fourth in the conference with 16 points on the season. 

Freshman forward Sammie Sofonia scored Southern Utah's second goal against the Bearkats, marking her seventh time finding the back of the net this season and first in conference play. Sofonia currently ranks second overall in the conference in goals scored this season.

The Thunderbirds high-powered offense will need to find their rhythm early, as they will face a 1-0 deficit to begin the match with just 45 minutes to play. 

SUU goalkeeper Megan Short continued her sensational season against Sam Houston, recording seven saves to earn her fifth shutout of the year. Short's save percentage of .894 ranks fifth overall in the entire country. 

Southern Utah has only lost one match on their home pitch this season, and the team is 3-0 at home against WAC opponents. They will look to mount a comeback victory and extend that streak Friday afternoon.

Notable Stats:

• Southern Utah's scoring offense is tied for 14th best in the nation.

• As a team, SUU's save percentage of .897 ranks as third best in the country.

• SUU is earning 6.83 corner kicks per match this season, which ranks as 22nd best in the nation.

• Southern Utah has four different players who have reached double digit points this year (Whitney Wangsgard, Sammie Sofonia, Kate Schirmer, and Hailey Hamataka).

• SUU has placed 50 percent of their total shots on frame throughout the year.

History

Southern Utah and Utah Tech have faced off four times on the soccer pitch throughout history, with the Thunderbirds holding a 2-1-1 all-time advantage over the Trailblazers. 

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