Facing off with last season’s Summit League runner-up, SUU soccer dropped a tough match to Denver 5-2 on Sunday afternoon.
The game got off to a quick start, even after a lightning delay caused a nearly 90-minute delay to the opening kickoff.
Denver needed less than a minute to threaten in the final third, and it was an early sign of what was to come. In the fifth minute of action, the Pioneers scored to take a 1-0 lead.
While the visitors had much of the possession and chances in the opening 10 or so minutes, the T-birds turned the tide and got back into the match quickly. Steph Roper laid a ball off at the feet of Chelsea Loeser in the 13th minute, which the midfielder blasted from outside the box and into the far side of the net to make it 1-1.
CHELSEA LOESER FROM THE TOP CORNER!!!
All tied up at Thunderbird Soccer Field 👀 pic.twitter.com/moeKaw1HNs
— SUU Soccer (@SUUSoccer) September 8, 2024
Southern Utah had more opportunities to score in the following 15 minutes but were unable to capitalize on the momentum, and they kept the Pioneers at bay thanks to a pair of saves from Darya Mosallaei.
Much like the T-birds had done earlier, however, it was Denver’s turn to swing the momentum in the other direction. In the 28th minute, the visitors found the back of the net again to go ahead 2-1 and reestablish their advantage.
The Pioneers nearly added another score under two minutes later, but Mosallaei made a big diving save to keep it a one-goal game.
Both teams totaled just two more shots the rest of the half, and the score remained 2-1 heading to the halftime break.
Second half
While the Thunderbirds were hoping to come out in the second half and find chances in the offensive half, Denver tightened its grip on the match while holding onto the lead.
SUU managed just one shot in the first 15 minutes of the second period, and just after the hour mark, the Denver lead increased to 3-1.
The Pioneers continued to pile on the pressure and made it a 4-1 score in the 66th minute. The T-birds responded with a goal to cut the deficit to 4-2 a mere 19 seconds later, as Kiersi Fietkau unleashed a rocket from 30 yards out for a fantastic finish.
Kiersi cuts into the lead with an absolute BEAUTY 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/VKWhminoiZ
— SUU Soccer (@SUUSoccer) September 8, 2024
Southern Utah’s momentum stopped there though, as they weren’t able to capitalize on a handful of chances in the closing minutes of the match. Denver added a fifth goal in the 85th minute, sealing the home team’s defeat on Senior Day.
“We competed very hard, a couple of movements in each 18 was the difference,” SUU head coach Kai Edwards said.
“They (Denver) are a really good team. I’m proud of the split on the weekend versus two talented teams. These are the games that will get us ready to play the top half of the WAC,” he added.
Up next
Southern Utah (1-4-1) will now travel to Idaho for its next two matches, first facing former Big Sky Conference foe Idaho State on Thursday, September 12. The T-birds will then head north to battle the Boise State Broncos of the Mountain West on Sunday, September 15.
The match against the Bengals kicks off at 7 p.m. MT and can be seen on ESPN+. SUU’s matchup with the Broncos will start at 12 p.m. MT and can be streamed on the Mountain West Network.
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