CEDAR CITY, Utah - The Southern Utah University soccer team will seek to maintain its strong start to the 2022 season as they host UTEP Thursday afternoon, with kickoff set for 3 p.m. MT. 

Game Info

Southern Utah vs UTEP

Date: August 25, 2022

Kickoff: 3:00 p.m. MT

Location: Cedar City, Utah

Venue: Thunderbird Soccer Field

Stream: Unavailable

Live Stats

Preview

Southern Utah (3-0, 0-0) is coming off of a phenomenal start to the 2022 season, as they won their first three contests of the year, outscoring their opponents 18-0. 

The season-opening road trip was loaded with new team and individual program records, including the best start to a single season in SUU soccer history, and the most consecutive road wins over Division I opponents in program history. 

The T-Birds will now return to Cedar City for their first home match of the season, where they have the opportunity to match the program record for most consecutive victories while hosting a talented and experienced UTEP team. 

The Miners (0-2, 0-0) are led by Head Coach Kathryn Balogun, who is in her fourth season at the helm of the UTEP soccer program. Balogun returns four starters and 13 overall players from last year's roster, highlighted by 2020 C-USA Third Team honorees Tess Carlin and Cayman Tamez.

In two seasons competing for UTEP, Tamez has been a staple mark in the Miners' midfield, starting 26 of 27 contests and leading the team in minutes played last season. Carlin is a dangerous playmaker on the front line for UTEP, recording eight assists and eight goals on 48 shots in her first two seasons of action before missing last year due to injury. 

UTEP also brought in plenty of fresh talent this offseason, adding nine freshman recruits and six newcomers through the transfer portal, including Baylor transfer Elena Reyna and Michigan State transfer Justice Tillotson, both of whom have started each of the first two matches for UTEP.

Southern Utah's high-powered offense that features a handful of lethal strikers will look for a fast start in their fourth consecutive game, as SUU has scored in the first 16 minutes of each of their first three contests. The T-Birds have also been stout on the back line, allowing only 24 shots this season. SUU is yet to allow a goal on defense, as Megan Short and Naomi Kehl combined to record shutouts in the net for the T-Birds' first two contests, and Short recorded a solo shutout against Jackson State this past Sunday.

As a team, Southern Utah currently leads the WAC in shots (70), points (49), goals (18), assists (13), and shutouts (3), while tying for first in goals allowed (0). 

The Thunderbirds will face their toughest challenge yet Thursday afternoon, as they hope to continue what has been a tremendous start to the season.

Last Time Out

Playing their third game in four days against a quality Jackson State team in high heat and humidity, the Thunderbirds rose to the challenge, pulling out a 1-0 victory to go 3-0 on their opening weekend road trip. 

In what was a back-and-forth contest, a corner kick in the 16th minute proved to be the difference in the match, as Hailey Hamataka scored directly off the corner, lacing a cross that soared over the goalie and into the back of the net, giving SUU a 1-0 advantage early in the game. 

The two teams battled it out the rest of the match, as the Southern Utah back line controlled the tempo of the game and held Jackson State's offense in check throughout the contest. Megan Short also came up with some huge saves to tally the solo shutout in the net for the Thunderbirds and help SUU achieve their best start to a single season in the history of the program.

Notable Stats:

• Southern Utah's offense ranks first in the entire country in scoring.

• After an impressive start to her career, in which she recorded a hat trick in each of her first two collegiate matches and currently leads the entire country in goals scored, Sammie Sofonia was named WAC Offensive Player of the Week on Tuesday.

• Victoria Caucci and Ashley Rivera have each recorded a conference-leading three assists this season, which is also tied for third in the nation. 

• A win over UTEP would tie the record for the longest winning streak in SUU soccer history.

History

Southern Utah and UTEP have played four times in the past, with UTEP claiming victory in all four contests. The two teams last played in 2019, where UTEP secured a 2-0 victory.

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