Who | Utah Tech (2-1-1) vs Montana (3-0-1) / Gonzaga (3-1)
When | Thursday, Aug. 31 – 5 p.m. MT / Sunday, Sept. 3 – 3 p.m. MT
Where | Spokane, Wash.
Social Media | Instagram + Twitter (X) + #UtahTechBlazers
 
Scouting the Competition:
The Montana Grizzlies are 3-0-1 on the season and coming off a 1-0-1 weekend at home, defeating MSU Billings 4-0 before playing Ohio State to a 2-2 draw. Led by Eliza Bentler's two goals, eight different players have found the back of the net this season while Montana has allowed just three goals all season.
 
Gonzaga is currently 3-1 on the season and coming off a split weekend at home. After defeating Weber State 9-2 on Thursday, the Bulldogs fell 3-1 to the Nebraska Cornhuskers on Sunday. Kate Doyle's five goals leads the way while Giana Riley is tied with Doyle for the team-lead in points thanks to four goals and three assists.
 
Comeback Kids:
After Nevada scored in the game's opening 15 minutes on Sunday, Utah Tech fought back to claim a 2-1 victory thanks to goals in the 51^st and 80^th minutes. The Trailblazers struggled with early pressure from the Wolfpack but came out a completely different team in the second half, with the leadership of captains Gracie Knutzen, Brynlee Rider and Ella Carmody earning praise from head coach Lexi Brown after the game.
 
From Way Downtown:
In the 51^st minute of Sunday's game, Emily Garbett stepped up with an early candidate for goal of the season.  Off a set piece from over 30 yards out, the Lindon, Utah native unleashed a rocket that found the far corner, leveling the game at one apiece and giving the Trailblazers some much-needed momentum. Now in her third season at Utah Tech, Garbett is up to six career goals.
 
Creating Chances:
Lacy Fox set new career-best marks for shots (seven), shots on goal (five) and minutes played (67) in a single game against Nevada on Sunday. In the process, the Highland, Utah native also scored an 80^th minute game-winner, which was her second career game-winner and first goal of the 2023 season.
 
Tireless Effort:
The Utah Tech midfield played a big role in Sunday's come-from-behind victory, with a trio of Trailblazers all playing at least 75 minutes and earning praise from head coach Brown after the game.
 
"Our midfield in a lot of ways were the unsung heroes – the three of them played almost 90 minutes each," Brown said. "(Mauri Ashman) did the full 90 and then (Tessa Thornton) and (Emily Garbett) played a ton of minutes and just did so much work to make sure we won that game on both sides of the ball."
 
What's Next: Utah Tech is back at home for six of its next seven, starting with matchups at Greater Zion Stadium against Northern Arizona (Sept. 8, 5 p.m.) and Portland State (Sept. 10, 12 p.m.) next weekend.