CEDAR CITY, Utah - With the score tied 0-0 and just over three minutes to play, Whitney Wangsgard made an excellent move around a defender and played a beautiful pass to the middle of the field. Freshman Addison Larsen stepped up and ripped a one touch shot off of Wangsgard's pass from just outside the box, which flew by the Stephen F. Austin goalkeeper and subsequently found the back of the net, giving SUU a lead that they would not relinquish, as the Thunderbirds held on to earn the victory and improve to 2-0 in conference play. 

The win was Southern Utah's seventh overall for the season and marks just the second time in program history that the Thunderbirds have started out 2-0 in conference play. 

"Two games in a weekend is hard, and we just tried to outwork the other team and compete like crazy. Everyone from our starters to our substitutes did just that," said SUU Head Coach Kai Edwards.

The match was another physical contest, as both teams started the game with high intensity. The Thunderbirds had a slow start on offense, but the backline and goalkeeper Megan Short showed up to play, shutting down any quality chances that Stephen F. Austin was able to produce. 

The shot count during the first half was fairly even, with SFA recording six total shots and SUU amassing five; but, Southern Utah dominated possession, controlling the ball for 58 percent of the time in the first period. The T-Birds also spent 50 percent of their possession time on the Lumberjacks' side of the pitch, but both teams failed to produce a goal in the half, as the two teams went into the break tied 0-0. 

After a few shots from Stephen F. Austin in the first 10 minutes of the second half, Southern Utah began to take control of the game and press their offensive attack. The Thunderbirds had multiple high-quality chances, with two shots from Sammie Sofonia and Aubrey Murray hitting the crossbar, but were unable to put any of their attempts in the net. Over the last 15 minutes of play, SUU took the intensity to a new level, putting tremendous pressure on the Lumberjacks back line and goalkeeper.

With the T-Birds dominating possession, they earned a throw-in with three and a half minutes to play on SFA's side of the field. The throw-in went directly to Wangsgard, as she turned and went by a Stephen F. Austin defender and played a pass to Larsen. Larsen took it from there, shooting a laser into the left side of the net, giving SUU their first lead of the game. The T-Birds kept Stephen F. Austin in check over the final three minutes, going on to earn the impressive victory.

Notable Stats

• Megan Short tied a season-high with seven saves in the contest to earn her third solo shutout of the season. 

• Whitney Wangsgard's assist was her third of the weekend and fourth of the season, which ranks first on the team.

• Southern Utah amassed 16 total shots throughout the match.

• SUU has only allowed four goals in eight total matches this season. 

• With the win, The Thunderbirds became just the second team in program history to begin conference play 2-0.

Coach Edwards Postgame Interview

Up Next

Southern Utah will be back in action this Friday, as they will head to Abilene, Texas to face ACU in their first road conference match of the year. 

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