ST. GEORGE – In a fiercely contested match filled with momentum swings and offensive fireworks, Utah Tech and Northern Arizona played to a thrilling 2–2 draw Sunday afternoon at Greater Zion Stadium.
The match started fast for Utah Tech — particularly for sophomore forward Lataya Brost. In the sixth minute, Brost appeared to score the opener, but the goal was disallowed due to an offside call.
Just two minutes later, Brost came close again, this time with a header that struck the crossbar. Her third early chance came in the 16th minute, but NAU freshman goalkeeper Reece Reichwald made the save to keep the match scoreless.
The Lumberjacks also created opportunities of their own. In the 13th minute, Micala Boex had a dangerous look inside the box, but the Trailblazers’ senior keeper Brianna Frey denied the attempt. Frey stayed busy, making back-to-back saves in the 22nd and 24th minutes — one from distance by senior midfielder Avery Ott, and another on a second effort from Boex.
The breakthrough finally came in the 43rd minute. Utah Tech freshman forward Jocelyn Wright delivered a well-placed cross into the box, finding junior forward Ella Rusick, who finished with a volley to give the Trailblazers a 1–0 lead heading into halftime.
Second half
The second half picked up right where the first left off. Just one minute in, Boex had another shot on target, but Frey once again stood tall.
In the 49th minute, Lacy Fox doubled the lead for the Trailblazers. After dribbling into the 18-yard box, she fired a shot into the top left corner to make it 2–0.
However, Northern Arizona responded quickly. In the 51st minute, Boex delivered a low cross into the box, where sophomore Valerie Llamas finished to the bottom left corner, cutting the deficit to 2–1.
The equalizer came in the 62nd minute, this time with the roles reversed. Llamas played a precise through ball to Boex, who beat the offside trap and slotted the ball past Frey in a one-on-one situation to level the score at 2–2.
Both teams traded possession over the next 20 minutes with few clear chances until Utah Tech nearly found a winner in the 85th minute. Junior Nicole Choren forced a save off a corner, and the rebound fell to Bryn Koscielski, whose follow-up was also denied by Reichwald.
In the 87th minute, senior defender Michelle Rodriguez sent another dangerous shot on goal from a corner, which was again saved by Reichwald.
The Lumberjacks quickly turned defense into offense with a counterattack, and Kaylee Muniz fired a shot that clipped the crossbar — but Frey recovered just in time to prevent a late winner.
The match ended 2–2, with both teams showcasing grit and offensive flair.
Up next
Utah Tech (3-3-2) will host future conference foe Portland State on Saturday, Sept. 19.
The match is slated for a 7 p.m. MT kickoff, and can be seen on ESPN+ or heard on 91.3 The Blaze.
Photo credit: Brooklyn Fehr, Utah Tech Athletics.
