Game Wraps
T-BIRDS' SEASON ENDS WITH 2-1 LOSS TO OAKLAND IN MID-CON SEMIFINAL
11/02/06
Box Score
ROCHESTER, Mich . – Oakland University rallied with two unanswered goals to oust Southern Utah from the 2006 Mid-Continent Conference women’s soccer tournament, 2-1, in the second semifinal match on a frigid Thursday afternoon at the OU Soccer Complex. The loss ended the Thunderbirds’ season at 5-10-3, while Oakland (8-10-0) will advance to play fourth-seed Western Illinois, which bounced top-seed Valparaiso by a 3-2 count in the first semifinal match, for the Mid-Con tourmanent title Saturday.
Southern Utah came out of the gate strong against the Golden Grizzlies, putting its first two shots on frame, including a free kick from 35 yards out by freshman Kristen Fronk that caromed off the crossbar and over the goal just 10 minutes into play.
The Thunderbirds were able to break through midway through the 24th-minute as junior Catherine Johnson took on three Grizzly defenders, dribbled through the pressure, and chipped the ball over the head of OU keeper  Kim Herbst into the goal to stake SUU to a 1-0 lead.
Oakland tallied the equalizer late in the 39th-minute as Jessica Boyle took a feed from Marianne Samdal and angled a shot wide of T-Bird netminder Holly Davis to the far post and in to knot the score at 1-1.
The Golden Grizzlies then took the lead for good at the 56:55 mark of the match when Kristi Evans sent a free kick deep inside the T-Bird penalty box. The ball was then deflected to Kali Karibo, who tucked the ball into the right corner of the goal.
SUU mounted a couple of offensive runs late, but the Grizzlies did just enough on the defensive end to keep their lead intact until the final horn.
“I’m really proud of the way we played today, especially our seniors who stepped up and led the charge,” Head Coach Brian Stock said. “I’m sad that we lost the game, but not upset with our performance. We knew we would have to come out of the gate strong and get on the scoreboard first. We accomplished that goal, but Oakland is a good team and they found a way to get back into the match.
“We battled for the entire 90 minutes and once again we were ball a off the crossbar or a bounce here or there away from it becoming a different result for us. I’m proud of our team and of the passion, desire and heart they showed out there today.”
Oakland outshot SUU for the match, 14-8, including a 9-4 edge on goal. Johnson accounted for two of SUU’s four shots on frame, while sophomore Shaley Ipson attempted two shots, one on target. Davis, who missed both matches last week due to injury, returned to action and made seven clutch saves in a losing effort.
NOTES: SUU fell to 0-3-0 all-time three Mid-Con tourney appearances … SUU played without its leading scorer and first team all-conference selection, junior Brooklyn Phillips, who missed the match due to injury … SUU’s five wins this season are the second-most in the program’s six-year history … Johnson’s goal moved her into a three-way tie for third place on SUU’s career list (9), while she climbed into sole possession of third place on the career points list with 22 … The loss also spelled the end for SUU’s four four-year seniors, Merilee Ford, Dani Lavigne, Jill Page and Ashley Smith.
T-BIRDS DROP REGULAR-SEASON FINALE AT IPFW, 3-2
- Phillips Sees Goal Streak Stopped at Six Matches; Extends Point Streak to Seven Straight Matches with an Assist -
10/26/06
Box Score
FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Southern Utah wrapped up its 2006 regular season on a sour note as IPFW rallied to hand the Thunderbirds a 3-2 loss Saturday afternoon at the Hefner Soccer Complex. The loss dropped SUU to 5-9-3 on the season, while the Mastadons improved to 4-11-1.
Things looked bright early for the Thunderbirds early as Catherine Johnson launched a straight-away blast from 20 yards out that made its way under the crossbar and into the net to stake SUU to a 1-0 lead just 1:59 into the match.
IPFW wasted little time striking back as Kristy Arnett took a cross from Anika Apar and tucked the ball past T-Bird keeper Sutton Cherrington at the 3:53 mark of the opening  half to knot the game at 1-1. The Mastadons then took a 2-1 lead in the 25th-minute when Jenna Tulley sent a through ball to the feet of Ashley Hansbury, who side-stepped Cherrington and sent the ball into the empty net to give IPFW a 2-1 advantage.
SUU came back with another tally just before halftime as Dani Lavigne took a feed from Brooklyn Phillips and ripped a shot that found the upper right-hand corner of the goal to draw the T-Birds even at 2-2.
Southern Utah had its chances early in the second stanza as Merilee Ford fired from point-blank at the IPFW goal, but Mastadon keeper Shannon Lynn made one of her five second-half saves on the drive to preserve the tie. Phillips then made a bid to score a goal in her seventh-straight match in the 68th-minute as she got behind the IPFW defense, but Lynn stepped up again to deflect away Phillips’ drive from the top of the box. Shaley Ipson then managed to recover the carom off the Phillips’ shot, but her attempt sailed over the crossbar.
The match remained tied until the 75th-minute when Apar toed up a shot from the left wing that Cherrington got a piece of, but the shot had enough steam to get through the deflection and into the goal to give IPFW the lead for good at 3-2.
“We played well enough to win the match today, but did not do enough to win it,” Head Coach Brian Stock said. “We knew it would be a close game and we battled hard, but came up short. We did what we needed to in getting that first goal, but we gave the lead and the momentum right back and [IPFW] was able to capitalize.
“We got the momentum right back with that goal right before halftime and had our opportunities early in the second half, but we weren’t able to cash it in. Give credit to IPFW, they made the most of their chances and were able to get the win. Now we have to re-focus and get ready for the [Mid-Con] tournament next weekend.”
SUU lost despite outshooting IPFW 20-16, including a 12-8 edge on frame. Ford, Lavigne and Ashley Smith each had three shots on goal to lead the Thunderbirds, while Cherrington made five saves in a losing effort. Phillips saw her goal streak end at six-consecutive matches, though she was able to extend her point streak to seven-straight overall with her first-half assist. In addition, SUU’s second goal of the first half was the club’s record-breaking 25th of the season, eclipsing the previous record of 24 set last year.
Apar led IPFW with six shots, three on frame, while Lynn made 10 saves at the Mastadon net.
Southern Utah will now prepare for the 2006 Mid-Continent Conference tournament, which will be held next Thursday-through-Saturday on the Oakland University campus in Rochester, Mich. The Thunderbirds qualified for the tourney by virtue of its 1-1 tie at Valparaiso last Thursday. SUU will go in as the third-seed in the four-team tournament and will draw No. 2 Oakland in Thursday’s second semifinal match at 2:00 p.m. (EST), at the OU Soccer Field. Top-seed Valpo and No. 4 Western Illinois will meet in the first semifinal match at 12 noon (EST).
NOTES: SUU’s five wins this season are the second-most in the program’s six-year history … Phillips’ seven-match point streak is the longest such streak in school history, as was her six-match goal streak … Phillips has eight goals and 20 points, both single-season records, while her four assists ties a career season-high and is the second-best season total in school history ... Along with the season record for goals scored, SUU’s offense has already broken team season records for assists (20) and points (70) ... Cherrington has made 12 saves in the two starts she made this week, including a career-high seven at Valparaiso last Thursday ... Lavigne moved into a tie for sixth-place on SUU’s career goals scored list with her sixth, while her 18 career points is also good for sixth on the career list ... Johnson also climbed up the career lists, moving into sole possession of fifth-place on both the goals (8) and points (20) lists ... SUU suffered its first loss of the season when it has taken at least 10 SOG, the club was 4-0-1 prior to the IPFW defeat ... SUU also enjoyed a 2-1 edge in corner kicks, marking just the second time all season the T-Birds had held an advantage in attempts.
T-BIRDS CLINCH MID-CON TOURNEY BERTH WITH 1-1 TIE AT VALPARAISO
- Phillips Scores in Sixth-Straight Match to Propel SUU into Postseason Play -
10/26/06
Box Score
VALPARAISO, Ind. – Brooklyn Phillips scored her sixth goal in as many matches with 3:34 remaining in regulation to draw Southern Utah even and that is how the match would end as the Thunderbirds clinched a Mid-Continent Conference women’s soccer tournament berth with a 1-1 tie at Valparaiso on a soggy Thursday afternoon at Eastgate Field.
The tie moved SUU to 5-8-3 on the year, 2-1-3 (9 points) in conference play, which will be good for the third-seed in next weekend’s tournament. Meanwhile Valpo (12-3-3)/4-0-2; 14 points) missed a chance to win its first out-right Mid-Con regular season title, but  could still clinch the title and the top-seed in the tourney with an Oakland loss at IUPUI later Thursday.
Valparaiso led 1-0 after the first 45 minutes of play thanks to a Sarah Jewell free kick from 25-yards out that flew over the head of T-Bird keeper Sutton Cherrington and into the back of the net midway through the 27th-minute.
Southern Utah turned up the intensity in the second half as the Thunderbirds put together numerous scoring chances. Catherine Johnson just missed tying the score in the 58th-minute as she rocketed a shot from atop the 18-yard box, but the ball caromed off the crossbar and the Crusaders were able to clear out of the zone. Minutes later, native Hoosier Erica Berlin missed out on the chance to tie the match as she had a shot inside the Valpo 18 sail just wide. Meanwhile Shaley Ipson also flirted with the crossbar as she took a centering feed from Dani Lavigne and chipped the ball at the Valpo frame, however the ball sailed just over its intended target with just 10 minutes left on the clock.
In the 87th-minute, Phillips tallied the equalizer as she corralled a deflected free kick and hammered a shot from 30-yards away from the right wing and past the outstretched gloves of Valpo netminder Erin Murray. It was Phillips’ eighth goal of the season and 12th of her career, which extended her school record totals in each category.
Both teams had chances in the two overtime periods, though Cherrington stepped up and made a couple of clutch stops late on both stanzas to preserve the tie.
 “Today’s game was about pure heart,” Head Coach Brian Stock said. “The weather conditions plus the importance of the game for both teams meant that it was going to be a very intense day. It was not the prettiest soccer and the key for us was just being effective and getting the job done. We came out to play today and once we got the wind at our back in the second half, we were really able to apply a lot of pressure and we were finally able to break through.
“We are excited that this result qualifies us for the tournament next week and we know we’re going to see either Valpo and Oakland again. Now we need to get re-focused and get ready for IPFW on Saturday and finish the regular season on a strong note.”
Both teams finished with 17 shot attempts, though SUU outshot Valpo 16-10 combined in the second half both extra frames, while the Crusaders held a 9-5 edge in shots on frame. Kristen Fronk accounting for two of SUU’s five shots on goal, while Cherrington enjoyed her finest outing as a T-Bird keeper as she allowed just the one goal while making a career-high seven saves in just her third-career start.
Jewell led Valpo with four shot attempts, while Murray was credited with four saves at the Crusader net.
Southern Utah will wrap up the 2006 regular season Saturday afternoon in Fort Wayne, Ind., with a match at IPFW. First kick is slated for 1:00 p.m. (CDT), at Hefner Soccer Complex on campus.
NOTES: SUU’s 2-1-3 final Mid-Con mark is the second-best league record in school history, just behind the 3-1-2 result from last season … SUU clinched its second-straight Mid-Con tourney berth and third overall in its sixth year of competition ... SUU’s first-ever Mid-Con postseason appearance came in 2002, the second year of the program’s existence ... Phillips’ six-match goal streak is the longest such streak in school history … SUU is now 3-3-10 in its last 16 overtime matches, including a 1-2-3 mark this year ... SUU has scored 23 goals this season, one shy of tying the school record of 24 tallies set last season ... SUU’s offense has already broken team season records for assists (19) and points (65).
T-BIRDS FALL TO UVSC IN OT THRILLER ON SENIOR DAY, 3-2
- Phillips Scores in Fifth-Straight Match and Becomes SUU’s Single-Season and Career Goals Leader -
10/21/06
Box Score
CEDAR CITY – Utah Valley State’s Jenni Wright scored just 2:06 into the first overtime period as Wolverines used two late goals to spoil Southern Utah’s “Senior Day” as the Thunderbirds dropped a 3-2 decision in their home finale Saturday afternoon at the T-Bird Soccer Field. The loss, SUU’s second-straight, dropped the T-Birds to 5-8-2 on the year, while UVSC improved to 6-8-1.
SUU led 2-1 after the first 45 minutes of play, with the first goal of the day coming in record-breaking fashion as junior Brooklyn Phillips became SUU’s single-season and career goals leader as she took a feed from junior Catherine Johnson and found the back of the net just 9:30 into play. The goal marked the fifth-straight match that Phillips had scored overall, while it was her seventh of the season and 11th of her career.
UVSC came back to tie the score at 1-1 on a Courtney Robbins tally early in the 21st-minute, but Southern Utah wasted little time in responding as senior Dani Lavigne, who was playing in her final home match, gave her club the lead back 2:12 later as she scored her first goal of the year.
The Thunderbirds preserved their one-goal advantage until the final minute of regulation as the Wolverines put together one more late charge deep inside SUU’s defensive third. UVSC’s Brittany Call came up with the loose ball and flicked it to Natalie Hatfield, who tucked the ball past T-Bird keeper Holly Davis with just 35 ticks on the clock to knot the score at 2-2. Wright then tallied the gamewinner with a blast inside the 18-yard box from the left wing to end the game.
SUU lost despite outshooting UVSC 13-7, including an 8-6 edge on frame. Sutton Cherrington got the start in goal for the Thunderbirds and allowed one goal and made two saves in the first half, while Davis was credited for one save as she came on after halftime.
Robbins led UVSC with two shots, both on goal, while Wolverine netminder Kelley Thompson stopped six shots to pick up the decision in goal.
Southern Utah will wrap up the 2006 regular season on the road next week with two matches in Indiana, beginning with a crucial Mid-Con showdown at Mid-Continent Conference leader Valparaiso Thursday. SUU will then travel to Fort Wayne for the season-finale at IPFW Saturday.
NOTES: SUU fell to 0-3-0 all-time vs. UVSC … SUU finished its seven-match home schedule with a 4-3-0 record, marking the second-straight season SUU played to a winning record at home … Along with Lavigne, Ashley Smith, Merilee Ford and Jill Page also played in their final home match … Phillips’ five-match goal streak is the longest such streak in school history … Phillips is now SUU’s career leader in goals (11), assists (8) and points (30) … Phillips (17 points) also became SUU’s single-season points leader with the goal … Meanwhile Lavigne’s goal, the sixth of her career, moved her into sole possession of seventh-place on SUU’s career list … Lavigne (16 points) also moved into a tie for seventh on the career points list.
T-BIRDS DROP KEY MID-CON TILT TO OAKLAND, 5-1
- Thunderbirds Miss Chance to Clinch a Mid-Con Tourney Berth at Home -
10/16/06
Box Score
CEDAR CITY – Oakland defender Kristi Mitchell tallied two goals and assisted on another as she helped pace the Golden Grizzlies to a 5-1 triumph over Southern Utah Monday afternoon at the Thunderbird Soccer Field.
The loss spoiled SUU’s chance to clinch a Mid-Continent Conference tournament berth at home and snapped the Thunderbirds’ four-match unbeaten streak as the club fell from second place to third place in the conference standings at 2-1-2 (8 points) and to 5-7-2 overall. Meanwhile Oakland jumped into second place with its third-straight league win and improved to 3-1-0 (9 points) in conference and 6-9-0 for the year.
Mitchell staked the Grizzlies to a quick 1-0 lead midway through the eighth minute of play as she collected a free kick from Jessica Boyle and fired a shot that went through the hands of T-Bird netminder Holly Davis and into the goal.
SUU came back eight minutes later as junior Brooklyn Phillips scored her team-leading sixth goal of the season and fourth in as many matches as she bent a free kick over the head of OU keeper Kim Herbst to the upper right corner of the net from 35 yards out to knot the score at 1-1. Phillips’ goal also pulled her into a first-place tie atop SUU’s single-season and career goals (10) scored lists and the school’s single-season points (15) list.
From there it was all Oakland as Mitchell answered at the 20:44 mark with her second goal of the day as she secured a rebound off a Davis punch-out and tucked the ball in for the score. The Grizzlies struck again five minutes later as Kristi Evans, who also scored two goals in the match, re-directed a corner kick from Mitchell with a header from six-yards away to extend the advantage to 3-1.
SUU had a chance to cut the deficit in half with 17 minutes to play as freshman Jennifer Johnson booted a straight-away shot from 30 yards out, but Herbst managed to get enough of a glove on the ball to deflect it off her hand and the crossbar to keep it a two-goal cushion. Oakland then put the match away with its fourth goal of the match two minutes later and added another tally for good measure with one second remaining.
Oakland outshot SUU 16-9 for the match, including a 9-4 edge on frame. Phillips led SUU with three shots, two on goal, while Davis finished with four saves.
Southern Utah will wrap up its 2006 home schedule with a date against in-state rival Utah Valley State Saturday at 2:00 p.m. (MDT). The match will serve as Senior Day as four T-Bird seniors; Ashley Smith, Dani Lavigne, Merilee Ford and Jill Page, will play in their final home game.
NOTES: Southern Utah fell to 0-6-0 all-time vs. Oakland, with the Grizzlies outscoring SUU 28-4 over those six matches … Phillips tied former T-Bird Tara Olson on SUU’s single-season goals and points list and former SUU forward Ilene Dixon on the career goals list … Davis’ five goals allowed was a career-high, this after having allowed only 10 goals in her last 939:59 minutes of action … SUU also had its six-match Mid-Con home unbeaten streak snapped (2-0-2) with the loss ... SUU’s last home conference loss also came at the hands of Oakland, 4-2, in the 2004 season ... SUU attempted a season-high five corner kicks and enjoyed a 5-3 edge in attempts over Oakland overall, marking the first time this season SUU had more corner kick opportunities than its opponent.
T-BIRDS ROLL PAST INDIANA STATE, 3-1
- Phillips Becomes SUU's Career Point and Assist Leader -
10/08/06
Box Score
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Brooklyn Phillips scored a goal and assisted on two others to help lead Southern Utah to a convincing 3-1 victory over Indiana State Sunday afternoon at the ISU Soccer Complex. The victory extended SUU‘s unbeaten streak to four-straight matches overall and moved the Thunderbirds to 5-6-2 on the year, while the Sycamores saw their saw their six-match winning streak halted as ISU fell to 7-5-0.
Southern Utah fell behind 1-0 early in the match as ISU’s Erin Bianchi tallied the first goal of the day late in the 16th-minute. However that lead would soon disappear as Phillips knotted the score at 1-1 seven minutes later as took a feed from Cassidy Berlin and fired the ball into the goal from four yards out. The goal was the junior’s third in as many matches and her fifth of the year, which tied her for the team lead, and moved her past former T-Bird Tara Olson (23) into first place on SUU‘s career points list.
SUU struck again midway through the 28th-minute when Phillips corralled a deflected shot and found Erica Berlin, who tucked the ball past ISU keeper Rachel Rudzis to give SUU a 2-1 advantage. Phillips then became the first Thunderbird in school history to notch a two-assist match as she stole an errant clear ball from Rudzis and touched it to Catherine Johnson, who chipped the ball into the empty net with just 36 seconds remaining to close out the scoring.
“It was a very good day for us,” Head Coach Brian Stock said. “We fell behind early, but we were able to bounce right back and answer with two quick goals and never looked back. We did a good job of controlling the tempo while limiting their chances in the second half. Then we were able to get that goal in the final minute that put the icing on a very good trip for us.
 “Now we have eight days off to get rested and refreshed before playing Oakland next Monday with a possible second-straight Mid-Continent Conference tournament berth for us on the line.”
SUU outshot ISU 18-14 for the match, including a decisive 14-7 edge on frame. T-Bird keeper Holly Davis made five saves to pick up her fifth decision in goal. Meanwhile Phillips, who had 13 career points through her first two seasons at SUU, finished with a career-high four points on the day to give her 13 for the season, three shy of breaking the single-season record of 15 set by Olson last season, and 26 career points overall. Her two assists also moved her into first place on SUU's career assists list with eight, eclipsing the previous record of six set by former T-Bird Sarah Sillitoe (2001-04).
Southern Utah will return home and enjoy an eight-day break before hosting Mid-Continent Conference power Oakland in a key league match Monday, Oct. 16. First kick is slated for 3:00 p.m. (MDT), at the T-Bird Soccer Field.
NOTES: SUU Head Coach Brian Stock, who has served in that capacity since the program’s inception in 2001, was on the bench for his 100th-career match as T-Bird mentor … Phillips’ two assists also broke SUU’s single-season match record, a record in which SUU had tied 74 previous times … Phillips’ goal was her ninth-career tally, which moved her into a three-way tie for second place on SUU’s career list with teammate Shaley Ipson and former T-Bird Tara Olson … She and Ipson now need two more goals to surpass former T-Bird Ilene Dixon (2001-02) who scored 10 in her two seasons in a T-Bird jersey … Davis has allowed only 10 goals in her last 932:38 minutes of action … Cassidy Berlin now has three assists to her credit along with her first collegiate goal scored at Idaho State August 27 … Berlin had just one career point through her first two seasons in a T-Bird jersey … Meanwhile her sister Erica Berlin scored her third goal of the year, which was also her first-career game-winning goal.
T-BIRDS BATTLE IUPUI TO A 1-1 2OT DRAW
10/06/06
Box Score
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Southern Utah stayed unbeaten in Mid-Continent Conference and remained firmly in second-place in the league standings after coming away with a 1-1 double-overtime draw at third-place IUPUI Friday night at Kuntz Stadium. The tie moved SUU to 4-6-2 overall, 2-0-2 (8 points) in Mid-Con play, while IUPUI stayed three points back of the T-Birds at 1-0-2 (5 points) in conference and 5-4-4 for the year.
The Thunderbirds struck first and wasted little time doing so as junior forward Brooklyn Phillips tallied her fourth goal of the year and second in as many matches just 2:49 into play to give SUU an early 1-0 lead. Phillips chipped the ball over the head of Jaguar keeper Jamie Farrell from 20-yards out, which marked the fastest the Thunderbirds had scored through 12 matches this season.
SUU, which outshot IUPUI 16-13 for the match, attempted eight shots in the period, two of which were on frame, but was only able to get that one goal through the first 45 minutes.
IUPUI drew even in the match late in the 52nd-minute when Emily Hicks took a long cross from Stacy Downing and tucked the ball past SUU net minder Holly Davis to knot the score at 1-1.
The Jaguars took 11 shots combined in the second half and both overtime periods compared to eight by SUU, including five shots on goal overall, while the T-Birds’ lone chance on frame came in the second OT-period, but Farrell made the stop to preserve the tie.
“We did the job we needed to do, which was get on the board early,” Head Coach Brian Stock said. “We got that first goal, but unfortunately we took our foot off the pedal. We had our moments, but couldn’t get that second goal before halftime. I thought going into the overtime periods we were the stronger team and we did make a couple of runs at them, but we weren’t able to tuck away the game winner.
“Nevertheless we stayed in second place in the standings and we did not allow IUPUI to gain any ground on us, which is huge for us with only two conference matches left.”
Davis made four saves to pace SUU defensively, while senior Dani Lavigne and junior Catherine Johnson led SUU with three shots apiece.
Southern Utah will step out of league play to face Indiana State Sunday at 1:00 p.m. (CDT), in Terre Haute.
NOTES: SUU’s tie at IUPUI extended the best-ever start to a Mid-Con season in school history for the club, eclipsing the 1-0-2 mark set last year ... Phillips’ goal is her eighth-career tally, which moved her into sole-possession of fourth place on SUU’s career goals list … She is also second among active players behind sophomore Shaley Ipson, who has five goals this season and nine for her career, which is one shy of tying former T-Bird Ilene Dixon (2001-02) who scored 10 in her two seasons in a T-Bird jersey … Davis has allowed only nine goals in her last 842:38 minutes of action … SUU is 3-2-9 in its last 14 overtime games, including a 1-1-2 mark this season … SUU notched season-highs for corner kicks (4) and fouls (23).
T-BIRDS RALLY PAST WEBER STATE IN OT, 3-2
10/01/06
Box Score
CEDAR CITY – Southern Utah came back from an early two-goal deficit to rally and defeat in-state rival Weber State in overtime, 3-2, Sunday afternoon at the Thunderbird Soccer Field. The win, SUU’s first in four tries vs. the Wildcats, gave the club a 3-1-0 record in its season-long four-match homestand and improved the Thunderbirds’ season mark to 4-6-1, while Weber fell to 5-4-2.
Weber State bolted out of the gate quickly in taking its 2-0 lead, scoring both tallies in the first 14 minutes of the match. The Wildcats drew first blood midway through the ninth-minute as Natalie Ellis cashed in a two-touch pass with a volley over the  outstretched gloves of T-Bird keeper Holly Davis into the goal. WSU then capitalized on a T-Bird defensive miscue as Linsey McFarland corralled an errant clear ball from Davis and fired a shot into the empty net at the 13:56 mark.
However SUU’s defense bore down the rest of the way, holding Weber to just 10 shots with four of those coming on frame. Meanwhile the T-Bird offense began to chip away, starting in the 36th-minute when Ashley Smith launched a free kick into the Weber box, which deflected off the boot of Cassidy Berlin to her sister Erica Berlin, and the sophomore tucked the ball in for her second goal of the season to cut the deficit to 2-1. Smith's assist was the seventh of her career, which moved her into first place on SUU's career assists list.
Southern Utah followed with the equalizer in the 79th-minute when Catherine Johnson sent a through ball to SUU’s leading scorer Shaley Ipson, who split a double-team and booted a shot from the middle of the Weber box past Wildcat netminder Rebecca Ritchie for her fifth goal of the year which knotted the score at 2-2.
After surviving a couple of shots on goal from Weber’s Shaylee Stegen early on in the first overtime period, Ipson got a run on the right wing and found Brooklyn Phillips, who fired a shot wide of Ritchie off the far post and into the goal to complete the comeback.
“Today was simply a matter of heart for our team,” Head Coach Brian Stock said. “Going down 2-0 early was not what we had hoped for. We also took some injuries and had to shuffle the line-up and the players we brought in stepped up big time for us. Despite being down two goals, we knew we could come back and we just kept trying to create opportunities. Eventually, we created our break and just kept building from there.
“It takes a lot of character to do what we did today and our players stepped up to the challenge. I also give our assistant coaches a lot of credit for finding the adjustments we needed to make. This was a huge win for our team and our program and we need to multiply our efforts going into the match with IUPUI next Friday.”
Both teams finished with 13 shot attempts, while SUU owned a 9-7 edge in shots on frame, led by Phillips and Dani Lavigne leading the way with three shots apiece. Davis stopped five shots to pick up the win in net. In addition, the victory marked the first time SUU had rallied from at least a two-goal deficit to win a match in the program’s near-six-year history.
Southern Utah will now play four of its final six matches of the regular season on the road, beginning with a two-match trip to Indiana this upcoming weekend. SUU opens the trip against Mid-Continent foe IUPUI Friday in Indianapolis, followed by a Sunday tilt in Terre Haute vs. Indiana State.
NOTES: SUU is unbeaten in 13 of its last 14 home matches dating back to the last match of the 2004 season, posting 8-1-5 record over that stretch ... SUU is also 3-2-8 in its last 13 overtime matches, including an even 1-1-1 mark this year ... Smith's first-half assist moved her past former T-Bird Sarah Sillitoe on the career list, who held the previous record with six dimes from 2001-04 ... Ipson’s goal moved her into a tie for second place on SUU’s single-season goals scored list and leaves her just two tallies shy of breaking the school record of six set last season by former T-Bird Tara Olson ... In addition, Ipson tied Olson for second place on the school’s career goals list with her ninth in just 28 matches and needs only two more to become SUU’s career-leader in that category ... Ipson also stands in a two-way tie on SUU’s all-time points list with 21, along former T-Bird Ilene Dixon, and needs only three points to move atop that list as well ... Phillips’ gamewinner, her fourth of her career, was her third goal of the year, which matches her season-high of three set last year, and she has seven for her career, which moved her into fourth on SUU’s career list.
T-BIRDS BLANK WESTERN ILLINOIS, 1-0
09/29/06
Box Score
CEDAR CITY – Southern Utah remained unbeaten in Mid-Continent Conference play as the Thunderbirds slipped past Western Illinois, 1-0, Friday afternoon at the Thunderbird Soccer Field. The win moved SUU to 3-6-1 overall, 2-0-1 in league play, while Western fell to 7-5-0, 0-2-0 in conference.
Both teams battled through a scoreless opening half, with the Thunderbirds putting up five shots on frame to just two by the Westerwinds. However that all cha nged in the final moments of the 63rd minute when junior Courtney Milligan found Kimly Anderson open in the flat and the sophomore recorded her first collegiate goal as she vaulted a shot over the Western keeper’s glove and just under the crossbar from 25-yards out to stake SUU to the one goal lead.
SUU then did a good job of possessing the ball on offense, while the T-Bird defense held up as the Westerwinds put together a couple of solid scoring chances, including a blast from Robyn Ruypers that sailed just over the SUU goal with just under nine minutes to play. Meanwhile T-Bird netminder Holly Davis was up to the challenge the rest of the way as she stopped three shots in the stanza and five overall in recording her second shutout win of the year and her school-record eighth-career solo shutout.
“Today was a great team effort all the way around,” Head Coach Brian Stock said. “Our players on the bench were outstanding and kept the energy high. Once we settled into a rhythm, we kept the ball quite a bit and made them do a lot of work defensively. We created some dangerous chances in both halves, but we didn't quite link the final pass or get the shot we needed in those moments. I'm proud of Kimly for taking a risk and it paid off and made the difference today. Our backs kept it together and we got the shutout. We are now three points closer to our goal of putting ourselves in a position to play for the [Mid-Con] title.
“Now we need to turn it around again and face a tough in-state rival. This built a lot of confidence and momentum for our team. I know we will come ready to play on Sunday.”
SUU outshot Western 17-13, including a 10-5 edge on frame, with senior Dani Lavigne leading the way with three shots on goal.
Southern Utah will wrap up its season-long four-match homestand Sunday against in-state rival Weber State. First kick is slated for 3:00 p.m. (MDT).
NOTES: SUU’s 2-0-1 start to its Mid-Con season is the best-ever start in school history, eclipsing the 1-0-2 mark set last season ... Davis’ officially has 8.5 shutouts in her two-plus seasons as T-Bird netminder, while her eighth solo shutout Friday pulled her into a tie for eighth place on the Mid-Con’s all-time career ShO list ... Davis now stands two ShO’s shy of sixth place and needs five more to move into sole possession of third place overall ... Anderson’s goal came on her fifth shot of the season and just her seventh attempt of her career ... SUU is unbeaten when it registers at least 10 shots on goal (3-0-1).
|
