Game Story

CEDAR CITY, Utah- The Southern Utah Thunderbirds (Big Sky) soccer team picked up their first win as they defeated the UNLV Rebels (Mountain West). SUU’s previous losses came at the hands of the University of Nevada Wolfpack and Michigan State Spartans. UNLV came into the game undefeated (2-0). The game got off to a rocky start as the game was delayed two-and-a-half-hours because of lightning. When the game did start SUU struck fast. Taylor Harris got her first goal of the game, assisted by Devri Hartle, just 6:50 into the game. Then MaKenzie Lawrence stuck again for the Thunderbirds 1:19 after the first goal netting her first goal of the season. Those two quick goals were certainly the deciding factor as UNLV Head coach Chris Shaw said “No excuses, we weren’t good enough tonight. We gave up two early goals and just never recovered. Credit to SUU for battling and making things tough for us.” UNLV was 2-0 before the loss to SUU. After the two goals; however, SUU went quiet. UNLV outshot 18-9, but Brianna Aldridge held it down for SUU, earning her first career win. Along with being outshot UNLV had a 10-3 on corner kicks. While SUU was able to win SUU Head coach Fred Thompson had some concerns. He said “We had about four or five other really good opportunities to roll somebody in and go straight to goal. I’m never going to turn down a 2-0 lead, but we need to learn how to handle it better and extend that lead when we get our opportunities.”

Up next:

Southern Utah (1-2) will face University of Nevada at home on Sunday August 26.

UNLV (2-1) will go on the road to play Utah State on Saturday August 25