ST. GEORGE — On the strength of three wins and three draws, the Utah Tech women’s soccer team is in the midst of a six-game unbeaten streak on the pitch.
The Trailblazers improved to 5-4-4 on the season Sunday with a 1-1 draw against Grand Canyon at Greater Zion Stadium.
“We knew this was a very good Grand Canyon team. They’re athletic, strong, and attack really well,” head coach Lexi Brown said on the Utah Tech website. “They have a player who’s in the top-five in the country for goal scoring so shutting her down and being strong defensively was really important for us.”
During the current streak, the Trailblazers earned three ties in their last three games — 1-1 against Grand Canyon and Southern Utah and 2-2 against California Baptist. The run began with three wins — 1-0 vs. Portland State, 3-2 over Colorado State and 4-3 against Idaho State.
Next up for Utah Tech is Thursday, Oct. 5, at Stephen F. Austin at 7 p.m.
Men’s soccer notches conference ‘W’
Utah Tech men’s soccer defeated the Vaqueros of UTRGV 1-0 on the road. The result improves UT’s record to 5-4 on the season and 1-0 in conference play.
After a scoreless first half, both teams came out firing early in the second period of play as Sami Cuevas put a shot on goal less than 2 minutes into the second half to force a save. UTRGV raced right back up the field but had a shot hit the crossbar and careen out.
The lone score of the match came when Bryce Backlund carried the ball up the field to the edge of the 18 and played it into the far corner for Cuevas, who cut around his defender and finished to the near post to give Utah Tech the 1-0 lead it was looking for. The goal was Cuevas’ second in as many games, having scored the equalizer in a 2-1 victory over UC San Diego last weekend.
Utah Tech hosts its next two games — Thursday, Oct. 5, at 7 p.m., vs. Utah Valley and Saturday, Oct. 7, at 1:30 p.m. vs. San Jose State.
Cross country makes strides in California
The Utah Tech cross country teams competed Sept. 16 at the UC Riverside Invitational in California. Racing on the UCR Agricultural Operations Course, the women ran a 6K while the men competed in an 8K.
The Trailblazer women placed 12th out of 18 teams, and for a second straight race, they were led by senior Shakayla Morgan who placed 49th with a time of 21:39.5. Four other Blazers finished in the top 100 with four more competing in the race. Other scorers were: 83. Mariah Skinner – 22:11.5; 85. Averie Perriton – 22:13.1; 89. Alyssa Laspada – 22:15.2; and 95. Rylee Jacobsen – 22:19.4.
On the men’s side, the Trailblazers were led by freshman Kyle Neuenschwander with an 8K time of 24:49.5. Quinton Read, Julien Canales, Ryan Newton and Trent Holiday rounded out the scoring for Utah Tech.
Southern Utah won the men’s race with 41 points with Utah Valley (104), Arizona (127), Azusa Pacific (142) and Cal Poly Pomona (153) completing the top five. The Trailblazers came in 20th overall as a team with 520 points.
Utah Tech is back in action on Saturday, Oct. 7, at the Southern Utah Color Country Invitational in Cedar City.
Volleyball earns 1st WAC win
The Trailblazers earned their first WAC victory of the season on Monday night sweeping Southern Utah at Burns Arena.
The Trailblazers (5-9 overall, 1-3 WAC), who snapped a four-match losing skid, topped Southern Utah (4-10, 0-4 ) 25-15, 25-21, 25-21.
Utah Tech was led by a career-high 19 kills and a .469 hitting percentage from sophomore Kennedi Knudsen while senior Emma Ricks had a team-leading 14 digs and freshman Sydney Reese had a season-best three solo blocks.
The Trailblazer women dropped their WAC road opener in straight sets at UT Rio Grande Valley on Saturday at UTRGV Fieldhouse 26-24, 25-19 and 25-11.
On Sept. 23, Utah Tech fell in straight sets to Grand Canyon 25-22, 25-19 and 25-19. The Trailblazers were led in kills by sophomore Kennedi Knudsen with eight and she added a team-high two service aces. Setter Taela Laufiso tallied a team-leading 22 assists and three blocks while Emma Ricks had a team-best 11 digs.
Women’s golf places 10th
Utah Tech finished in a two-way tie for 10th place at the Big Sky Conference-hosted Big Sky 54 for IX Celebration Tournament, which wrapped up play Sept. 26 at TalonsCove Golf Club in Saratoga Springs.
Senior Grace Williams posted her first top-20 individual finish as a Trailblazer to lead Utah Tech’s effort. Williams opened with a 1-over 73, then chased it with an even-par 72 and a 2-over 74 on to join three others tied for 19th at plus-3 219.
Utah Tech returns to action at the Eastern Washington Eagle Invitational Monday-Tuesday, Oct. 9-10, at Indian Canyon Golf Course in Spokane, Washington.
Crimson Cliffs alum paces Blazers
Utah Tech men’s golf continued its 2023 fall season with a 19th-place finish at the New Mexico-hosted William H. Tucker Intercollegiate played on Sept. 26-26 at the UNM Championship Course.
Crimson Cliffs alum and current Utah Tech sophomore Zach Felts (71-75-71) was UT’s top finisher as he bracketed a pair of 1-under 71s around a 3-over 75 to join five others tied for 31st at plus-1 217.
The Trailblazers next compete at the Oregon State Invitational on Monday-Tuesday, Oct. 9-10, at Trysting Tree Golf Club in Corvallis, Oregon.