The match ended in a draw for the Utah Tech University women’s soccer team in its game against rivals, Southern Utah University.
The final score of the game was 1-1. The Trailblazers led with the first goal of the game at 24 minutes into the first half, and they were able to fight off any attempts made by the Thunderbirds until the second half.
Defender McKinley Barney, a senior nursing major from Mesa, Arizona, said the team was excited about the game against their rivals but played it like any other game.
“We didn’t want to let our emotions get the best of us,” Barney said.
Following some chaos around the net, Lacy Fox, a sophomore management major from Highland, took an opportunity and scored the one and only goal of the game for the Trailblazers. The goal was assisted by Brynlee Rider, a senior exercise science major from Layton.
Fox was named Offensive Player of the Week by the Western Athletic Conference and leads the team in goals this season so far. Rider was also recognized by the WAC as an assist leader with four assists.
The first goal and an intense defensive attack led to a strong first half for the Trailblazers. However, despite the promising first half, the Trailblazers lost their momentum, and SUU managed to score a goal just over 31 minutes into the second half.
“We got too complacent with just being up one goal,” Barney said. “It’s a dangerous lead to have.”
Rider said after losing the lead, the biggest thing the team can do is to regroup and get the energy and momentum back in their favor.
“Looking forward, we’re trying to connect passes, cheering each other on, celebrating a tackle, header, clean pass or shot,” Rider said.
A shot in the second half narrowly missed the net but received a reaction from the crowd. From the stand’s angle, many in the crowd thought it had gone in, but their cheering was premature. There was an audible groan when they realized it had missed the net.
The Trailblazers had control majority of the game, creating many opportunities. The team outshot SUU 17-9. However, only four of the shots made by the Trailblazers were on goal.
Fox said they didn’t capitalize on the opportunities they had in the first half of the game, and in the second half, they focused on getting those opportunities again but were unable to put one away.
“A lot of times we’ve come out poorly in the first half and done well in the second half,” Fox said. “We just need to stay connected and consistent.”
Utah Tech women’s soccer team will face off against California Baptist University in the Greater Zion Stadium again for their next conference game Sept. 28.
