Playing in their final road match of the season, the T-birds dropped a 1-0 contest to Tarleton State on Sunday afternoon.
The match was a tight one, as both teams needed favorable results as they tried to secure a spot in the upcoming conference tournament.
Tarleton State would deliver the only goal of the match in the 23rd minute, and it would prove to be just enough to hold off the T-birds.
SUU was able to put together several scoring chances but was unable to break through the Texans’ defense. The T-birds recorded 14 shots in the match, including 9 on target. SUU nearly scored in the 76th minute, when the ball appeared to cross the goal line after bouncing around. No goal was given, however, and the T-birds’ remained 1-0 down.
Despite the strong play – particularly in the second half – Southern Utah was unable to secure a result and a possible conference tournament berth now rests on the final match of the campaign.
“We didn’t perform well enough in the first half and that solely lands at my feet. We weren’t sharp enough or detailed enough. Credit to the players for a very good second half,” SUU head coach Kai Edwards said.
“The game is a game of inches and the ball off the line was very close. VAR (Video Assistant Referee) would have made it interesting. With other results, we are still alive. Going into the last weekend with a game vs your rival means everything. An SUU win coupled with an ACU loss or tie, and we make it (to the conference tournament). We have to do our job. We will be focused and ready, that is for sure,” Edwards added.
Down to one
With just one match remaining in the regular season, SUU still has a chance to reach the 2024 WAC Tournament.
At 0-4-2 in conference play, the T-birds currently have two points and are joint last in the eight-team standings.
However, if the Thunderbirds can secure a victory against rival Utah Tech and Abilene Christian loses or ties its final game against Tarleton State, SUU would secure the sixth and final postseason tournament spot.
Not only would the previously mentioned results get the T-birds into the WAC Tournament, but it would also keep the Trailblazers out of the conference tournament in an ultimate rivalry result.
Up next
Southern Utah (2-9-5, 0-4-2 WAC) finishes the regular season with a home match against rival Utah Tech.
The T-birds and Trailblazers will face off on Saturday, Oct. 26, at 1 p.m. MT, and the match will be broadcast on ESPN+.
Photo credit: Instagram @margauxxpics
