Trailblazers fall short in WAC opener with Aggies

Box Score Trailblazer women's soccer fell just short despite attempting the second-half comeback against New Mexico State. DSU lost 2-1 but after Jill Bennett's 79th-minute goal, nearly had a comeback.

HOW IT HAPPENED: Right from the kickoff, both teams were tuned into this game, and it was a physical battle between these two teams. With NMSU getting two shots off in the opening five minutes of the match, the Trailblazers were prepared to handle the pressure from the Aggies defensively.

It would take the Trailblazers until the 15th minute to get a shot on goal, but Aggie goalkeeper Makenna Gottschalk was able to get the save.

The game went back and forth for most of the first half. The teams were matching shots and possession time, but after a foul from Noela Nawahine drew the Aggies a penalty kick, the Aggies found the back of the net and took the advantage.

Heading to halftime, the Aggies lead on the scoresheet, but this game was still anyone to lose. DSU had a hard-fought night and wasn't going to just let the Aggies walk away with the win.

The two sides were matching nearly everything through the second half. One team would get a shot, and the other would counter it with one of their own. Eventually, though, NM State broke the deadlock.

A turnover at midfield sent NM State flying down the far side. NM State's Khari Price sent a cross into the box that Bella Garcia headed past Kayla Gonzales to give NM State the two-goal lead.

DSU countered New Mexico's goal with one of their own, though. Just two minutes later, Jill Bennett got the ball at the midfield and ran it back, and got a shot off as she fell to the ground at the top of the 18-yard box.

The final ten minutes of this game were filled with end-to-end action, fouls, and free-kick opportunities for the Trailblazers, but they could not find the equalizing goal and force overtime.

The Trailblazers will take the 2-1 loss to open WAC play and look forward to the Saturday showdown with the GCU Lopes.

STAT BREAKDOWN: The Trailblazers ended the game with ten shots, outshooting the Aggies, who only had nine. DSU's shot leader was the goalscorer Jill Bennett who had three of the team's shots on goal. Forward Brynlee Roberts also matched Bennett with three.

Kayla Gonzales was in net for the Trailblazers and played the full 90 minutes. She notched three saves for DSU.

DSU was shown no cautions in the match.

NOTES TO KNOW: Dixie State is now 4-7-0 overall on the season.

UP NEXT: The Trailblazers will now go on to face WAC Conference foe Grand Canyon University on Saturday at 7:30 PM in Greater Zion Stadium. Grand Canyon is 7-2-1 in the 2021 season.

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Players Mentioned

#21 Jill Bennett: F; 5' 8"; Fifth Year

#26 Brynlee Rider: F; 5' 7"; Sophomore

#0 Kayla Thompson: GK; 5' 10"; Junior

#27 Noela Nawahine: MF; 5' 6"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#21 Jill Bennett
: 5' 8"; Fifth Year
: F

#26 Brynlee Rider
: 5' 7"; Sophomore
: F

#0 Kayla Thompson
: 5' 10"; Junior
: GK

#27 Noela Nawahine
: 5' 6"; Freshman
: MF