(St. George, Utah – Oct. 12, 2023) Utah Tech women's soccer played Thursday night, defeating the Tarleton State Texans 3-1 at Greater Zion Stadium. The result improves UT's record to 7-4-5 (2-0-4) with a home game against Abilene Christian scheduled for Sunday morning.
 
"It was a good 90 minute performance from us," Head Coach Lexi Brown said. "We created good chances in both halves and controlled the tempo the entire time but really came out with more urgency and desire in that second half to be clinical and put things away when we needed to."
 
With the reigning WAC Goalkeeper of the Week in Bryanna Hofheins starting between the pipes, Utah Tech put the pressure on early. Emily Garbett forced a TSU save less than 90 seconds into the game before Hofheins was called into action in the 3^rd minute, but she made a stop and the game continued.
 
UT's early pressure continued throughout the first half as the Trailblazers would out-shoot the visitors 5-0 over the next 20 minutes. Tarleton did create chances in the 27^th and 28^th minutes, but a Hofheins save and blocked shot kept the game level. Though Utah Tech would put more shots on target down the stretch of the the game was scoreless at the break.
 
It took just four minutes of play in the second half for Utah Tech to find the breakthrough, with Brynlee Rider making a long run that culminated in a finish inside the box for the game's opening goal. The goal was Rider's sixth of the season and put her into the team-lead for points with 17.
 
The momentum continued for UT as it took less than 20 minutes for the Trailblazers to double their lead, as Kearney Hoggan headed in an Emily Garbett corner kick for her second goal of the season.
 
After holding Tarleton State without a shot until the 75^th minute it would be Utah Tech who struck to make it 3-0, once again off a Garbett feed.
 
Kalea Woodyatt drew a free kick in the 86^th minute before Garbett played a long ball into the box that found the head of a wide open Hanna Carlisle at the back post, who headed the ball in with authority to seal the game. Thursday's goal was Carlisle's first as a Trailblazer and fourth as a collegiate athlete, having scored three goals across two seasons at USU Eastern.
 
Though Tarleton scored off an 88th minute corner kick, Utah Tech rounded out the game to finish a convincing 3-1 home victory.
 
In total, UT would outshoot the visitors 22-8 (11-4 on goal) while taking four corner kicks and drawing eight Texan Fouls. Kearney Hoggan led all players with six shots in 58 minutes played while the trio of Garbett, Rider and Tessa Thornton all finished with four. Hofheins would finish with three saves while Ella Weathers' 55 minutes played led all players off the Trailblazer bench.
 
"Kearney's effort level tonight was next level on both sides of the ball - she was everywhere - and Emily's work rate in the midfield with the number of balls that she won back was unbelievable," Coach Brown said. "Tessa didn't have her best half in the first half but she really responded in the second half and created so much for us.
 
"For Hanna to sub in late and put away a brilliant goal, it was such a special moment for her and the team," Brown added. "Definitely a team win but some special performances."
 
Utah Tech is back in action Sunday morning at Greater Zion Stadium, facing Abilene Christian at 10 a.m. in the first game of a doubleheader with Trailblazer men's soccer.