CEDAR CITY, UTAH -- The SUU Women's Soccer team came back from a 2-1 deficit late in the second half to earn its first victory of the 2025 season, defeating the Vikings of Portland State 3-2. This marks the first victory over PSU since the 2016 season and only the third win total. With a goal and an assist, Senior Whitney Gardner took the top spot in all-time career points in Thunderbirds Soccer history.

Head Coach Kai Edwards said

"We competed all week in training and it showed. Credit to the seniors getting the win on senior day. We have learned a lot of lessons this non league schedule . The biggest one that this group does well is be a team, be a great teammate and be present. They have focused on the controllable day by day. If they weren't such a tight knit TEAM we don't win today."

Highlights

Game Recap

The Thunderbirds netted the first goal of the match for the first time this season, in the 12th minute the Thunderbirds earned a free-kick and Nao Yasuda played a beautiful cross to the back post and Freshman Dakota Hansen finished a header to give the Thunderbirds a 1-0 lead. This was Hansen's first goal of her collegiate career.

Just two minutes later, the Vikings answered back on a goal from Bianca Potesta. The score remained 1-1 for the next 25 minutes, but just before halftime, the Vikings found the back of the net again, this time off the foot of Sydney Spotts.

The second half started out with a lot of defense. Neither team generated any quality looks until the Thunderbirds earned a corner kick in the 69th minute, and Freshman Carly Radke sent a ball into the six-yard box. Again, Hansen got her head on the ball. This time, it was played to the feet of Whitney Gardner, who ripped a shot past the Vikings' goalkeeper to even the score at two goals apiece.

Just six minutes later, Gardner found herself with space in the attacking third and played a ball across the 18 to Sarah Assumma, who made a quality turn and fired a rocket to the far post that gave the Thunderbirds the 3-2 lead. 

The T-Birds held on for the final 15 minutes and finished non-conference play with a huge 3-2 victory.

Statistical Recap

The Thunderbirds had 13 total shots with seven landing on target. The T-Birds also earned four corner kicks and drew nine fouls in the match.

Whitney Gardner registered six shots, with three landing on target, both of which led the team. Sarah Assumma had two shots, and both were on target.

Freshman Dakota Hansen and senior Whitney Gardner both recorded three-point games, logging a goal and an assist.

Jazmyn Brass once again stood tall in net. Facing 10 total shots, and recorded four saves for the match. Her voice and leadership are incredibly valuable to the back line of the Thunderbirds' defense.

Senior Aubrey Murray played all 90 minutes for SUU. 

This is the first time the Thunderbirds have scored three goals in a match since October of 2023 against Abilene Christian, the match that sent the T-Birds to the WAC postseason tournament.

Up Next

The team will play their fourth straight home game as they start conference play against Utah Tech on Sunday, September 28 at 1:00 p.m. 

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