Kicking off a two-match Texas road trip on Thursday night, the T-birds used a second-half rally to win at UTRGV.
With heavy rain pouring down the entire match, SUU got off to a solid start after dropping a heartbreaker to Cal Baptist on Sunday.
The T-birds tallied five shots in the first 30 minutes to just one for the Vaqueros, controlling the possession but unable to find the goal to put them in front.
Despite SUU having more quality chances in the first half, it was UTRGV who would notch the first goal of the match. With only 11 seconds left before halftime, Jeweleen Reuille found the back of the net as the home team took the 1-0 lead into the break.
Second half
The T-birds opened the second half pushing for an equalizing goal as they turned up the pressure on offense.
SUU broke through at the hour mark when Steph Roper found Whitney Gardner for a goal to make it 1-1.
Whitney with the equalizer 😤🔥
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🤠1 pic.twitter.com/nrYJAoYjcl— SUU Soccer (@SUUSoccer) October 6, 2023
Southern Utah continued to pile on the pressure after scoring the equalizer as they searched for their first win.
The T-birds found the back of the net again in the 69th minute, taking the 2-1 lead courtesy of a fantastic strike from Allison Keller.
After a UTRGV defender attempted to clear the ball away from the box, Keller let the ball bounce twice and wound up a shot from around 40 yards out. The strike curled perfectly into the top right corner to beat the Vaqueros goalkeeper to put the visitors in front.
ALISON KELLER 😱
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🤠 1 pic.twitter.com/QnvIBcSwu3— SUU Soccer (@SUUSoccer) October 6, 2023
SUU was able to stop any attempt at an equalizer from UTRGV in the final 20 minutes to secure the comeback victory.
The T-birds recorded more shots (14-7) and shots on goal (6-5) in the match and tallied more possession as they picked up an important three points during conference action.
The win moves SUU to 1-7-5 overall, including 1-2-1 in WAC play. The T-birds currently sit just two points out of the sixth and final WAC Tournament berth with five matches remaining.
History made
Not only was the win the first of the season for Southern Utah, but it was also a historic win for the program.
The 2-1 victory over the Vaqueros was the 100th win in SUU soccer history, which dates to 2001.
100th win in program history tonight! #TBirdNation X #RaiseTheHammer pic.twitter.com/SDyXHta77h
— SUU Soccer (@SUUSoccer) October 6, 2023
Up next
The T-birds will now battle Stephen F. Austin on Sunday, Oct. 8 before returning to Cedar City for the final two home matches of 2023.
The game against the Lumberjacks will kick off at 11:00 a.m. MT and can be seen on ESPN+.
