Last week was packed with action for Trailblazer athletics at Utah Tech University. Here’s a recap of the events and highlights from the week of Sept. 8-14.
Women’s tennis
Utah Tech women’s tennis opened its season at the Idaho State Invitational, earning four singles wins and one doubles victory. Sophomore Mariana Zurita and freshman Maya Inouye led the doubles effort with an 8-7 (7-3) win over Montana.
In singles play, sophomore Ana Gutierrez and Zurita secured straight-set victories, with Gutierrez defeating Idaho State’s Millie Day 6-3, 6-2, and Zurita topping Utah State’s Niyati Kukreti 6-4, 6-3.
Women’s golf
Utah Tech women’s golf secured a fourth place finish at the season opening Utah Valley Wolverine Invitational. The Trailblazers posted an 11-over 875, tying the second lowest 54-hole score in program history. They closed the event with a 1-under 287 on Tuesday, also tying the second lowest 18-hole score in team history.
Sophomore Samantha Phelan and freshman Maria Purroy Galan led the way, tying the program’s 54-hole scoring record with 3-under 213s, finishing tied for fifth overall. Phelan posted a career low 69 in the final round, while Purroy Galan impressed in her collegiate debut with a 69 on Monday.
Women’s soccer
Utah Tech women’s soccer battled hard in two challenging road matches this past week.
On Sunday, the Trailblazers pushed Arizona State University to the limit, tying the game 1-1 in the 86th minute with a long range free kick from senior Emily Garbett. Despite their resilience, ASU scored the game winner with just 25 seconds left, handing Utah Tech a narrow 2-1 defeat.
The Trailblazers put up a strong defensive effort against Boise State University earlier on Thursday. Junior goalkeeper Brianna Frey made 12 saves and kept the game scoreless in the first half. Though Boise State eventually broke through in the second half, Utah Tech continued to fight, with junior Kyah Le forcing a save on their lone shot on goal.
Men’s soccer
The men’s soccer team earned a tough 1-1 draw at University of Portland on Sunday night. The Trailblazers struck early, with sophomore Austin Wallace scoring a header off senior Gavin Coe’s cross just over four minutes into the match. Portland tied it in the 16th minute with a penalty kick.
Utah Tech played a man down for the last 33 minutes after a red card but managed to withstand 10 shots. Sophomore goalkeeper Stockton Short made nine career saves, including six after halftime. Wallace led Utah Tech with three shots, all on goal, as they were outshot 27-7.
Women’s volleyball
Utah Tech women’s volleyball had a strong showing at the College of Charleston Invitational, finishing with two wins and one loss.
In their opening match, the Trailblazers fought back after dropping the first set against Middle Tennessee, securing a 3-2 win. Key kills and a service ace helped Utah Tech claim the second set 25-22, followed by a tight 26-24 victory in the third. After losing the fourth, the Blazers dominated the final set 15-6, hitting .417 as a team.
Later, Utah Tech faced College of Charleston, winning the first set 25-19, but Charleston rallied to take the next three sets, handing the Trailblazers a 3-1 loss despite competitive play throughout.
Utah Tech bounced back with a convincing 3-0 sweep of Robert Morris to end the tournament. Hannah Howard led the team with 12 kills, while junior Kennedi Knudsen added 10.
The Trailblazers return home on Sept. 19 to face Northern Arizona University at Burns Arena.
Junior setter Meg Carter said: “This season is definitely a lot different than last year. Last year we sort of had an underdog mentality. This year it’s totally different. I think people are going to underestimate us a ton and we’re going to come out swinging. It’s going to be a great season.”
Football
The Trailblazers dropped a 45-17 decision to Northern Arizona on Saturday night at Greater Zion Stadium.
Both teams traded early field goals, with Utah Tech’s coming from freshman Ilya Uvaydov on a 48-yarder, his first collegiate make. From there, NAU took over, scoring 28 unanswered points to lead 31-3 at halftime, capitalizing on two Utah Tech three-and-outs and a turnover.
Utah Tech added two fourth-quarter touchdowns. Sophomore Nygel Osborne scored on a 4-yard run, and redshirt freshman Reggie Graff threw a 23-yard touchdown pass to junior Tru Tanner. Graff finished with 100 passing yards and 51 rushing yards, as the Trailblazers totaled 286 yards of offense.
NAU finished with 554 total yards, including 333 rushing. Darvon Hubbard led the Lumberjacks with 130 rushing yards and a touchdown.
For more information about Trailblazer Athletics and a look into what’s going on next week, click here.
