ST. GEORGE, UT - A golden goal in double overtime was the demise of the Trailblazers on Thursday evening. Dixie State took on the University of Utah and fell with a final score of 2-1.
WHAT HEAD COACH MOLLY ROUSE SAID: "Tonight's team performance was an excellent demonstration of the groups capacity to grow. Our staff could not be happier with the teams engagement and willingness to learn over the past week, after a tough first match at the Division I level. Preparing for a solid PAC-12 competitor like Utah, offered us a unique opportunity to address important moments of the game and it was clear to see improvement and better game management all over the field. While losing the match in double overtime is hard, we know the group will once again respond with grit and determination as we prepare for SUU on Sunday!"
HOW IT HAPPENED: The Trailblazers were the first to find a shot on target as Jill Bennet hit one in the bottom right of frame but Utah's Chelsea Peterson saved it. Utah was the first to get on the board with a goal in the 22nd minute. Utah attacked again late in the first half with a shot on target but Hollee Herick came away with her first save of the game.
At the end of the first half, Dixie State trailed 1-0. DSU didn't wait long to get on the attack in the second half. In the 58th minute, Whitley Griffiths hit one on target that was saved by Utah's SJ Edwards. Shortly after Brynlee Roberts had a scoring opportunity that Utah also deflected.
DSU continued on the attack and in the 73rd minute the Trailblazers found themselves in a scoring position. Kelsey Cook sent a ball in from a corner kick and Whitley Griffiths put a head on it to tie the game up 1-1.
In the final two minutes of the regulation play, Dixie State fired off four shots but couldn't finish sending the game into overtime.
The first round of overtime was uneventful as neither team was able to place a shot on target. In the second overtime, in the 107th minute Utah's Hanna Olsen wormed a ball past Dixie's defenses scoring the golden goal to end the game for a final score of 2-1.
STAT BREAKDOWN: Griffiths ended the evening with three shots, two shots on goal and one goal. Kelsey Cook also fired off three shots with one on goal and one assist.
Hollee Herick ended the night with seven total saves and two goals against in her freshman debut as a Division I goalkeeper.
In total, Dixie State had 11 shots and six on frame. Utah ended with 21 total shots and nine shots on frame.
DSU had seven saves to Utah's three.
NOTES TO KNOW: This was Griffiths' 27th goal in her career and the second of the season. Dixie State is now 0-2 overall on the season.
UP NEXT: The Trailblazers next action will be Feb. 14th as DSU hosts Southern Utah at Greater Zion Stadium at 1:00 p.m.
