CEDAR CITY, Utah - In what was an incredibly unorthodox match, with the first 45 minutes being played 11 days prior with a rain delay forcing  the second half to be postponed to today, the Southern Utah University women's soccer team played hard, but they were unable to make up a 1-0 deficit entering today's portion of the match, as they fell to Utah Tech.

"We came out and played very well," said SUU Head Coach Kai Edwards. "We pressed them and created quality opportunities. We did everything we were supposed to do..and usually you will come out on top if you do that, but today we didn't." 

The Thunderbirds and Trailblazers began their contest on Monday, October 3, with kickoff being delayed 30 minutes due to lightning in the area. After the weather cleared enough for the teams to take the field, the match began.

The Trailblazers came out strong, firing off two shots in the first five minutes and testing SUU goalkeeper Megan Short. After 12 minutes of play, the Thunderbirds began to find their rhythm, picking up their offensive play and ripping a couple shots that forced Utah Tech goalkeeper Kayla Thompson to make a few saves of her own.

23 minutes into the match, Utah Tech's leading goal-scorer Karli Nyland found the back of the net off a pass from Lacy Fox to take a 1-0 lead. 10 seconds after Nyland's goal, another weather delay went into effect, lasting nearly two hours. The two squads were finally able to return to the pitch an hour and 45 minutes after Nyland's goal.

The Thunderbirds picked up their attack once again when play resumed and pressed the Utah Tech backline throughout the remainder of the half.

Soon after the first half was completed, another weather delay was announced, and the remainder of the game was postponed to today.

Nearly two weeks after the two squads began their match, the Trailblazers returned to the Thunderbird Soccer Field to finish what they started.

Facing a 1-0 deficit, Southern Utah came out firing, as they absolutely dominated possession and created quality opportunities to score early. 

SUU spent the majority of their possession time on Utah Tech's half of the field and earned six shots in the half, three of which were on target. 

The Southern Utah backline composed of Kiki Stewart, Adelayo Oguntade, Rachael Hunt, and Aubrey Murray played an exceptional game, slowing down Utah Tech's high-powered offense and keeping Nyland in check throughout the half.

Despite dominating possession and earning more shots and corners than the Trailblazers in the half, the T-Birds were unable to find the back of the net for just the second time this season, as Utah Tech went on to earn the 1-0 victory.

Notable Stats:

• Southern Utah owned 56 percent of the possession time throughout the match, including an unbelievable 62 percent of possession in the second half.

• SUU earned 13 shots throughout the match.

• Southern Utah goalkeeper Megan Short recorded six saves in the contest. 

• The Thunderbirds earned six corners to Utah Tech's four.

Kai Edwards Postgame Interview

Next Up

The Thunderbirds will return to the pitch next Friday, as they are set to host California Baptist with kickoff scheduled for 3 PM MT. 

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