Who | Utah Tech (0-0) at South Dakota (0-0) / Omaha (0-0)
When | Thursday, Aug. 17 – 5 p.m. MT / Sunday, Aug. 20 - 12 p.m. MT
Where | First Bank & Trust Soccer Complex – Vermillion, S.D. / Caniglia Field – Omaha, Neb.
Social Media | Instagram + Twitter (X) + #UtahTechBlazers

The Start of an Era: This weekend's games mark the first of the Lexi Brown era at Utah Tech. Announced as the second head coach in the program's Division-I history on June 26, 2023, Brown brings nearly a decade of experience to a Trailblazer program that is coming off a 10-win season in 2022. Joining Brown on the staff is her better half, Tyler Brown, who coached at Eastern Washington and Gonzaga, as well as Utah Tech alumna Juli Nield and Nick Vorberg.

From the Southwest to the Midwest: Utah Tech currently boasts a 1-1 record in games played in the Midwest, having faced North Dakota and St. Thomas in an early-season multi-team event last season. After falling to NDSU on Aug. 27, UT rebounded with a 1-0 victory against the Tommies off the back of a 71^st minute goal from Karli Heaton. The Trailblazers out-shot UST 12-6 as Heaton (five shots, three on goal) and McKinley Barney (two shots, one on goal) both finished with multiple attempts on goal.

Brand New Faces: The Trailblazers welcomed 10 new faces during the offseason, with nine true freshmen joining Utah Valley transfer Tessa Thornton in moving to St. George. The class includes five attackers (Thornton along with Ella Rusick, Tara McDonald, Hannah Petteys, Ella Weathers), two midfielders (Rachel Feveryear, Mauri Ashman), two defenders (Michelle Rodriguez and Nicole Choren) and one goalkeeper (Parker LaMont).

1-0: Utah Tech played one exhibition ahead of the regular season, facing Eastern Arizona College last Thursday, Aug. 10, defeating the Gila Monsters 8-0 at Greater Zion Stadium. Brynlee Rider opened things up with a goal in the 10^th minute before goals by Madison Monson and Savannah Hansen later in the first half put UT ahead 3-0 at the break. McKinley Barney, Emily Garbett, Tara McDonald, Mylee Carver and Tori Brown all scored down the stretch to seal the victory.
 
Home and Home: Last season, Utah Tech played host to the Coyotes in September, winning with a commanding 5-0 result. Emily Garbett and Nikkie Scott got on the scoresheet with goals while Ella Carmody, Tori Brown, Kearney Hoggan and Hanna Carlisle were all credited with assists.
 
She can Score: The team's leading scorer last season and a Second Team All-WAC selection, Karli Heaton is back for another season in St. George this season and has already earned recognition. On Aug. 10, the Highland, Utah, native was named to the WAC Preseason All-Conference team. Heaton led the team with 12 points last season thanks to five goals and two assists, also leading the team in game-winning goals (four), shots (30) and shots on goal (19).

What's next: Utah Tech will return to St. George and stay home next weekend, welcoming Idaho (Aug. 24, 7 p.m.) and Nevada (Aug. 27, 1 p.m.) to Greater Zion Stadium