The Trailblazers were handed their second loss of the season after a hard-fought battle versus the reigning Mountain West champions.
SAINT GEORGE, UTAH – Returning home after a 1-1 draw with UNLV in Las Vegas, the Utah Tech women’s soccer team hosted the Boise State Broncos and dropped a 2-1 decision on Sunday afternoon.
The match began with Utah Tech putting early offensive pressure on the Broncos’ defense, earning a pair of corner kicks in the opening moments.
It did not take Boise State long to respond, however, as they answered with a couple shots of their own via junior midfielder Cindy Conner in the 8th and 11th minutes.
The game remained all knotted up until the 25th minute, when Boise State’s junior striker Asia Lawyer had a 1v1 opportunity with Utah Tech goalkeeper Brianna Frey.
Lawyer would get the better of the senior keeper, slotting home the first goal of the game to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.
Both teams continued to battle throughout the morning of the first half, and it would be Utah Tech who created some late chances in the first frame while looking for an equalizer.
Right before the half ended, the Trailblazers earned four corner kick set-piece opportunities. Still, they were unable to find a goal of their own, and the score remained in favor of Boise State heading into the break.
Second half
The second half kicked off, and the two sides kept battling, leaving off right where they were in the first half.
Abby Olsen of Utah Tech and Mikayla Stanfield of BSU were both yellow-carded early in the period, setting the tone for how physical the remainder of the match would be.
In the 64th minute, Boise State would be awarded a penalty, as Kenzie MacMillan was tripped up in the box. Moments later, she converted the kick from the spot, sending a near-perfect attempt into the bottom right corner to make it 2-0 Broncos.
Just one minute later, the Trailblazers would earn a corner kick on the right side of the pitch. Lataya Brost stepped up, delivering a cross to the back post. The pass found the run of junior defender Michelle Rodriguez, who headed it into the back of the net to make it a 2-1 score.
Nearing the end of the contest, both teams had their own opportunities to put another goal on the board. The best chance came off a shot from Boise State’s Cindy Conner in the 84th minute that was saved off the crossbar by Brianna Frey.
Ultimately, no more goals were scored, as Boise State’s patient and conservative playstyle was too much for the Trailblazers to overcome.
The match ended in a 2-1 score, giving the Bronocs their first win of 2025 while handing Utah Tech its second loss of the campaign.
Following the defeat, the Trailblazers now sit at 1-2-1 on the year.
Next up
Utah Tech (1-2-1) hits the road for three matches, first taking on Cal State Northridge on Thursday, Aug. 28.
The match is scheduled to kick off at 8 p.m. MT and can be seen on ESPN+.
Photos obtained via the Utah Tech women’s soccer Instagram page.
