Six Trailblazers Recognized in WAC Postseason Awards

Gracie Knutzen and Brynlee Rider both landed on the Second Team while Ella Rusick was named to the All-Freshman team.

(Arlington, Texas – Oct. 27, 2023) The Western Athletic Conference (WAC) announced its 2023 Postseason Awards on Friday, with six Trailblazers earning recognition in a poll voted on by the conference's 10 head coaches.

Gracie Knutzen and Brynlee Rider both earned Second Team All-WAC honors while Ella Rusick was named to the WAC All-Freshman team; Michelle Rodriguez, Emily Garbett and Tessa Thornton all received votes.

"I'm really proud of all our players who were recognized but especially those two who were named Second Team All-Conference - very well deserved for each of them," Head Coach Lexi Brown said. "Both have been so impactful for our team over the course of this season and especially in conference play. They played a huge role in helping get us to the conference tournament."

Team captain Gracie Knutzen has played every single minute of the 2023 campaign, the only Trailblazer to accomplish that feat. Knutzen, who came to Utah Tech ahead of last season after playing two years at Snow College, was named WAC Defender of the Week on Oct. 3 after an unbeaten weekend against Grand Canyon and California Baptist. Against the Lopes, she was credited with an assist after redirecting a corner kick to Brynlee Rider, who finished to put the team ahead.

Knutzen, originally from Mapleton, Utah, was also an All-WAC Second Team selection after the 2022 season.

"Gracie has been such a critical leader for our back line," Coach Brown said. "She has really been able to generate a lot of our possession in attack. She's an amazing ball-winner and defender but has also given us so much more depth in terms of what we bring within possession and within our attack so I'm really proud of her and her leadership. Very well deserved."

Brynlee Rider led the Utah Tech offense in points (20), assists (six) and shots on goal (18) while tying for the team-lead in total shots (34) and goals (seven). Also named a team captain, Rider scored twice in the team's season-opening 3-1 road victory over South Dakota while also finishing with a goal and assist against both Idaho State (Sept. 17 – W, 4-3) and Abilene Christian (Oct. 15 – W, 3-1).

Rider is now up to 13 goals and nine assists across 3,295 minutes played at Utah Tech and Friday's announcement marks the first All-Conference honors in her career.

"Brynn has been at the forefront of our offense all year. She's been the player that every team has scouted and tried to shut down and still many teams have been unable to do so because of her pace and the way that she attacks," Brown said. "I'm proud of her and what she's brought this entire season and am really excited to have her showcase both herself and her teammates at the WAC Tournament."

Ella Rusick finished her freshman season with three goals and two assists, finishing behind Rider, Emily Garbett and Lacy Fox with eight total points. Her first career goal came with mere seconds on the clock against Colorado State, heading in the game-winner in a 3-2 victory. Just one month later, a one goal, one assist performance helped fuel UT's 3-1 victory over Abilene Christian at home. Originally from Litchfield Park, Ariz., Rusick finished the regular season having played 959 minutes across 19 total appearances, which included 13 starts.

Michelle Rodriguez finished her first regular season of college action with 12 starts across 16 total appearances, earning 1,198 minutes of game time. She was credited with two assists on the season, both coming on Lacy Fox goals: one a game-winner against Portland State on Sept. 10 and again against California Baptist on Sept. 28. Originally from West Valley City, Utah, Rodriguez started and played a role in two shutouts this season.

Entering this season with one assist across two seasons of play, Emily Garbett finished just behind Rider with five assists in the 2023 campaign. Having played 1,241 minutes across 18 appearances (14 starts), Garbett scored in a 2-1 win over Nevada on Aug. 27, hammering home a free kick from 30 yards out. Garbett, who serves as the team's free kick specialist, finished the regular with two goals and five assists for nine total points, good for third on the team.

Tessa Thornton played a big role in her first season at Utah Tech after transferring from Utah Valley, finishing with three goals and one assist playing atop the Trailblazer midfield. The Spokane, Wash., native finished the year on a high note, scoring in two of the team's last four regular season games, including the game-tying goal in a 3-1 victory over Abilene Christian on Oct. 15. Thornton finished tied for the team-lead in total shots (34) while playing 1,268 minutes across 17 appearances (16 starts).

Friday's announcement goes well beyond just the individual student-athletes, with Brown noting that having six players recognized is also an indicator of what's to come from Trailblazer women's soccer.

"I think it really speaks to the future of our program. Every single player who both is receiving votes and who was named to the all-conference team will be returning next year so we're really excited about that," Brown said. "It's great for us to have the conference recognize that we're not just a one-trick pony and that we've got a lot of depth in a lot of different positions.

"We're excited and ready to put our heads down and get to work and earn some success in the quarterfinal on Sunday."

Utah Tech plays Grand Canyon in the first round of the 2023 WAC Women's Soccer Tournament on Sunday. Kickoff against the Lopes in Riverside is scheduled for 5 p.m. MT.

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Players Mentioned

#22 Gracie Knutzen: DEF; 5' 4"; Senior

#23 Emily Garbett: MID; 5' 3"; Junior

#26 Brynlee Rider: FWD; 5' 7"; Senior

#28 Lacy Fox: FWD; 5' 7"; Sophomore

#38 Michelle Rodriguez: DEF; 5' 6"; Freshman

#25 Ella Rusick: FWD; 5' 5"; Freshman

#7 Tessa Thornton: F; 5' 6"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#22 Gracie Knutzen
: 5' 4"; Senior
: DEF

#23 Emily Garbett
: 5' 3"; Junior
: MID

#26 Brynlee Rider
: 5' 7"; Senior
: FWD

#28 Lacy Fox
: 5' 7"; Sophomore
: FWD

#38 Michelle Rodriguez
: 5' 6"; Freshman
: DEF

#25 Ella Rusick
: 5' 5"; Freshman
: FWD

#7 Tessa Thornton
: 5' 6"; Junior
: F