(St George, UT – Oct 1, 2026) – Utah Tech women's soccer gets two second half goals from Ella's to come from behind and win their Big Sky Conference debut, 2-1 over Portland State.
After 21 days in between games, Utah Tech (5-4-1, 1-0-0 Big Sky) were eager to get back on the pitch. The Trailblazers first scoring opportunities came off of back to back
Ella Rusick shots in the 18th and 22nd minutes, but couldn't capitalize.
The first score of the game came off the foot of Elle Frazier for the Vikings (2-8-0, 0-1-0 Big Sky), to give them the 1-0 lead.
Portland State and Utah Tech both had six shots on goal in the first half as PSU held a 1-0 lead at the break.
Utah Tech was able to find the equalizer just over ten minutes into the second half as
Ella Rusick fired a shot from just outside the box that found the back of the net to even the score. The goal was Rusick's fifth of the season, which ties her for the team lead and conference lead with
Lataya Brost.
Just over five minutes later,
Ella Rusick had the ball on her foot again in a dangerous scoring area. This time, the Vikings sent a double team at her, so she set up fellow Ella,
Ella Weathers, just outside the box. From about the same spot as Rusick's goal, Weathers let one go and beat the PSU goalie to the right side, to give the Trailblazers the lead. The goal was Weathers' first goal of her career.
Both teams would trade scoring chances for the rest of the half, and Utah Tech would survive Portland State's final push in the final minutes to secure the 2-1 win.
NUMBERS TO KNOW
Ella's accounted for both goals tonight for UT and Rusick assisted on Weathers' goal
Rusick's goal was her fifth of the season and ties her for the team lead and conference lead with teammate
Lataya Brost
UT won their conference opener for the second consecutive season
