Utah Tech women's soccer moves to the top of the WAC standings after defeating New Mexico State 3-1 Sunday afternoon. 

What Head Coach Molly Rouse said: "There is much to be excited about with today's team performance. At this point in the season, when games are so mentally and physically demanding, our team is choosing to lock arms and grind it out. Playing against top teams in the WAC, like NMSU, is presenting us with the challenge to focus harder on tactical execution under extreme pressure. We are fortunate to have a roster full of committed and hard working women that aim to get better each day while focusing on how to be the best prepared team possible. It is exciting to see an army of women fiercely support each other every match, while facing tough WAC opponents. Needless to say, we would not be in this situation without each and every member of our team. We look forward to seeing this group show up for each other again when we complete our match against SUU on Friday."
          
HOW IT HAPPENED: The Aggies were the first to get a shot on goal in just the fourth minute and Kayla Thompson came away with the save. Just five minutes later NM State attacked again with a shot on goal and Thompson notched another save. 

New Mexico State had another strong attack in the 15th minute with another shot on frame and Thompson made another save to give her three. It wasn't until the 22nd minute that Utah Tech was able to get a shot on frame. McKinley Barney fired off a shot but the Aggies came away with the save. 

In the 32nd minute, NMSU had possession of the ball in the defensive third and sent it back to the keeper for a reset of the field. Abigail Allard sprinted towards the keeper putting on some pressure  as the Aggies keeper tried to clear it but sent it to the feet of a wide open and waiting Savannah Stauffer. Stauffer took a dribble before firing it off from outside the 18 and sunk it in the upper 90 to give the Trailblazers the 1-0 lead. 

As the first half wound down, Utah Tech drew a corner kick and Kalea Woodyatt sent the ball flying into the six when an Aggie placed a head on the ball and scored an own goal for the Trailblazers. As the half ended, Utah Tech had a 2-0 lead.  

The second half picked up in intensity with both sides getting physical. In the 46th minute, NMSU was issued a yellow caution that UT followed up with a shot on goal by Lauren Buxton. 

In the 51st minute, after a NMSU foul the Trailblazers had a free kick. Emily Garbett lined up 35 yards out and fired off a shot that bent perfectly the top corner of the goal just under the crossbar. Utah Tech had a 3-0 lead. 

In the 54th minute, NMSU was able to get a goal off a corner kick to close the score deficit. 

NMSU kept the pressure on the rest of the second half notching two more shots on goal but remained unsuccessful thanks to Thompson's goalkeeping. 

The final second ticked by and UT walked away with a 3-1 win pushing the Trailblazers to the tip top of the WAC standings. 

STAT BREAKDOWN:  In total Utah Tech had 10 shots with seven shots on frame. While NM State had 13 total shots with 10 on frame. Each of UT's shots on goal were recorded by different Trailblazers. 

Thompson started in goal and played the full 90 for UT and ended the game with eight saves. 

NOTES TO KNOW: Utah Tech now has a  9-2-1 record overall on the season and are unbeaten in WAC action at  5-0-1. The Trailbalzers are on a 10 game unbeaten streak and are on a three game winning streak. 

The Trailblazers have only allowed two goals in 937 minutes. 

UP NEXT: Utah Tech will head to Cedar City, Utah to finish off the second half of the game with Southern Utah on Oct. 14 at 3:00 p.m. before hosting Grand Canyon and California Baptist in the final home games of the season.