STEPHENVILLE, Texas – Tarleton State Soccer clinched its first WAC Tournament berth with its seventh shutout of the season, a 1-0 victory over Southern Utah on Sunday afternoon at the Tarleton Soccer Complex.
The Texans (8-7-3) clinched a berth in the WAC Tournament for the first time in the program’s three years of existence. The Thunderbirds (2-9-5) will play Utah Tech for a chance to reach the tournament next Saturday. The tournament will start November 3rd, in Abilene, Texas.
Stevie Reynolds secured the eventual tournament-clinching goal in the 23rd minute. After a cross from Adelaide Wyrzynski, Reynolds headed in her third goal of the year.
Mikayla Kendall pitched her fifth shutout of the season and seventh total in a save effort. She upped her league leading save total to 126.
Less than three minutes into the match, Wyrzysnki fired a shot from the top of the box forcing the Thunderbird keeper to put her hands on it to keep the game scoreless.
Just a few minutes later, Macy Hellwig found a loose ball on the corner and fired a shot forcing the keeper to make a leaping save.
In the 18th minute, Reynolds fired a point-blank shot at the Thunderbirds keeper forcing her to make a save from her knees.
Just five minutes later, Reynolds connected on a cross from Wyrzynski to give the Texans the lead. Wyrzynski received a pass in the corner and flipped a cross to the middle of the box where Reynolds headed in her third goal of the season.
In the 35th minute, Kyra Goudzwaard nearly gave the Texans a two-goal lead. Lauren Grissom found Goudzwaard at the side of the goal where her shot rolled just past the open post.
In the 63rd minute, Southern Utah fired a shot destined to tie the score, but Kendall leapt to the top of the crossbar to get her fingertips on the ball and kept the Thunderbirds scoreless.
A few minutes later, Sam Liaty corralled a loose ball and fired it just above the crossbar.
In the final 15 minutes of play, Kendall made a flurry of saves to lead the Texans to the 1-0 shutout victory.
In the final minute of the match, Wyrzynski nearly gave the Texans a game-clinching goal. The Sydney Australia, native, nearly lifted the ball over the top of the keeper, nicking the crossbar.
The Texans outshot the Thunderbirds, 19-14 and led in shots on goal, 10-9. Tarleton also held a 4-2 advantage on corner kicks.
The Texans will honor its four seniors on Senior Day next Saturday against Abilene Christian. Seniors will be honored on the pitch prior to kick, which is slated for 7 p.m. The match will be streamed on ESPN+ with Kyle Crews on the call.
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