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Southern Utah University Athletics

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SOUTHERN UTAH THUNDERBIRDS
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Adelayo Oguntade
1
Southern Utah SUU (7-1-1, 2-0-1)
1
Abilene Christian ACU (4-2-3, 0-0-2)
Southern Utah SUU
(7-1-1, 2-0-1)
1
Final
1
Abilene Christian ACU
(4-2-3, 0-0-2)
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Southern Utah SUU 1 0 1
Abilene Christian ACU 0 1 1

Game Recap: Women's Soccer | | Trevor Marbut - SUU Assistant Director for Athletic Communications

Southern Utah Battles to Earn 1-1 Draw on the Road Against ACU

ABILENE, Texas - Playing their first road conference match of the season in intense heat conditions, the Southern Utah University women's soccer team fought to secure a 1-1 draw against Abilene Christian. 

With temperatures as high as 96 degrees at kickoff time, the Thunderbirds still got off to a strong start, earning multiple shots on goal in the first 20 minutes of action. 

SUU goalkeeper Megan Short was locked in from the start, picking up three saves in the first ten minutes alone. The Wildcats matched Southern Utah's offensive intensity to begin the game, but Short continued to shut them down. 

In the 23rd minute, Hailey Hamataka played a pass to Adelayo Oguntade on the right side of the field. Oguntade received the pass from Hamataka and put a dangerous shot into the ACU box. The Wildcat goalkeeper tried to field Oguntade's shot but mishandled it, and Whitney Wangsgard found herself in the perfect position, as she fielded the rebound and placed a shot from close range directly into the back of the net, giving the T-Birds a 1-0 lead. 

Southern Utah began to take dominant possession and overtake the game after Wangsgard's goal. The Thunderbirds pressed their attack, creating some quality opportunities over the next 15 minutes. SUU was unable to add to their lead, and Short maintained the shutout as the T-Birds held a 1-0 advantage entering halftime.

The Wildcats took control of the tempo to begin the second half, as they had multiple shots in the first 10 minutes, and Short was forced to come up with a couple more big saves. In The 55th minute, ACU's Jordan Michie found the back of the net to even the score at one goal apiece. 

The two teams continued to battle in what was a physical match, with both squads trading attacking chances.

In the 64th minute, Victoria Caucci smashed a one-touch volley that drilled the top left crossbar, barely missing the goal, and the score remained 1-1. 

Southern Utah had another phenomenal opportunity in the 89th minute, as Wangsgard found herself in a counterattack opportunity and played a long ball through the defense to Kate Schirmer. Schirmer found herself open on the right side of the field and drilled a shot that, once again, hit the crossbar and almost crossed the line. 

Neither team was able to score after ACU's goal in the 55th minute, and SUU went on to earn the hard-fought draw on the road to remain unbeaten in conference play. 

Notable Stats

  • Megan Short had a season-high nine saves throughout the match.

  • SUU recorded 13 total shots, seven of which were on goal.

  • Southern Utah's overall record of 7-1-1 ranks as the best in the Western Athletic Conference. 

  • Adelayo Oguntade's assist was the first of her career. 

  • Whitney Wangsgard's goal was her fourth of the season which is tied for second most on the team.

  • Southern Utah earned three corner kicks to ACU's two.

Up Next

The Thunderbirds will have another quick turnaround, as they will head Stephenville, Texas to take on Tarleton State this Sunday at 12 PM MT.

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