STEPHENVILLE, TEXAS -- The Thunderbirds played the second match of their two-game road stretch at Tarleton State University and battled hard but fell 1-0. 

Head Coach Kai Edwards said

"We didn't perform well enough in the first half and that solely lands on me. We weren't sharp enough or detailed enough. Credit to the players for a very good second half. The game is a game of inches and the ball off the line was very close. VAR would have made it interesting. 

With other results we are still alive. Going into the last weekend with a game versus your rival that means everything. An SUU win coupled with an ACU loss or tie and we make it in. We have to do our job. We will be focused and ready. That is for sure."

Game Recap

Both teams made it very obvious how important this game was. The intensity throughout was very apparent on both sides of the ball. The Texans scored the only goal of the match in the 23rd minute. A bouncing ball across the box found the feet of Stevie Reynolds, and she fired the game-winner into the back of the net. 

The Thunderbirds absolutely played their hearts out, particularly in the second half, creating countless grade-A scoring opportunities. The best chance was a shot that ricocheted off the crossbar, hit the goal line, and bounced back up to the crossbar again before being corralled by Mikayla Kendall. 

The Thunderbirds just could not find the back of the net and lost to the Texans 1-0. 

Statistical Recap

SUU had 14 shots and an unbelievable nine of the 14 on target. Sarah Assumma led the team, and all three shot attempts landed on frame. Chelsea Loeser and Whitney Gardner also had three shots a piece, with one on target. 

Stacy Barressi started in goal for SUU and made an impressive nine saves, allowing just one goal. 

Once again, the Thunderbirds' back line —Jenna Grider, Adelayo Oguntade, and Aubrey Murray—all played 90 minutes and were very solid. 

Up Next

The Thunderbirds will play their final regular season game next Saturday, October 26, at 1:00 p.m. against Utah Tech out on the Thunderbird Soccer Field. 

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