by Cedar City, Utah – After falling behind for the first time all season, the Nevada soccer team (3-0-1) scored two second-half goals to defeat Southern Utah (1-3-0) on Sunday afternoon 2-1. Freshmen Payton Lieb (Otoe/Ponca Tribe) and Kylie Minamishin each netted penalty kicks in the final 20 minutes of play to lift the Wolf Pack to victory.
The Pack’s 3-0-1 start is the second-best in program history, behind the 2006 squad that began its year 4-0-1.
The first half of the match was a defensive struggle between the two teams, with only 10 shots occurring in the first 45 minutes. Freshman Kendal Stovall made two saves in the first half, while the Pack offense was unable to record a shot on goal.
The second half was a different story, as the Thunderbirds came out hot and ended up earning a penalty kick in the 64th minute. Devri Hartle drilled the ball past Stovall for only her second goal allowed all season, and the Pack trailed for the first time in 2018.
That deficit was quickly erased by Lieb, who took a penalty kick of her own after a foul in the Thunderbirds’ box occurred during a Nevada corner kick. The freshman drilled the ball into the top right corner and gave SUU keeper Brianna Aldridge no chance as the match was tied 1-1.
Nevada was able to continue applying pressure after securing the momentum, and in the 81st minute drew its second penalty kick of the match with a chance to take the lead. Minamishin took the shot, and recorded her first collegiate goal by freezing the Thunderbird keeper when she kicked the ball into the left corner for the 2-1 lead.
The final few minutes showcased Stovall’s toughness, as she recorded multiple clutch saves as SUU threw everything they had at her in the final minutes. The Pack defense held strong, and Nevada left Utah with its third win of the season.
