STEPHENVILLE, Texas - Tarleton State (7-5-2) outlasted Utah Tech (5-4-3) in a thrilling 4-3 conference matchup on Sunday afternoon at Memorial Stadium. The back-and-forth contest featured seven goals and multiple lead changes before the Texans secured their seventh win of the season.
The match's scoring opened early as both teams traded goals in a frenetic first half. Reegan Wagg tested the Utah Tech defense in the 13th minute with a shot off the crossbar, while Zoe Ballard followed moments later with a low drive that narrowly missed the left post. Bre Koscielski responded for Utah Tech in the 14th minute with a shot that sailed high over the crossbar.
The first half showcased intense midfield battles with both teams creating quality chances. Grace Berry's presence was felt early for Tarleton State, recording a blocked shot in the 12th minute. Utah Tech's tactical approach focused on building through the wide areas, earning three corner kicks before the break. The teams entered halftime deadlocked after trading early goals.
The second half saw an explosion of offensive action. Lataya Brost and Teagan Jaussi led Utah Tech's attack with several dangerous opportunities, while Tarleton State countered through Gabrielle Williams and Stevie Reynolds. A crucial sequence came in the 78th minute when Bre Koscielski's blocked shot led to a corner kick, followed by Nicole Choren's attempt that forced a save from the Tarleton goalkeeper.
Final statistics reflected the match's competitive nature, with Utah Tech recording 12 shots (8 on goal) compared to Tarleton State's 10 shots (6 on goal). The Texans held a significant 9-3 advantage in corner kicks, while both teams' disciplined play resulted in no cards being issued. Tarleton State's goalkeeper made five crucial saves, while Utah Tech's netminder recorded two stops.
Individual performances shaped the outcome, with Lataya Brost making her presence felt through multiple attacking runs and a shot off the woodwork in the 64th minute. For Tarleton State, Grace Berry's early pressure and Reegan Wagg's consistent offensive threat kept Utah Tech's defense under pressure. Victoria Lucksinger controlled the midfield before being substituted in the 63rd minute.
Tactically, both teams adjusted throughout the match. Utah Tech's strategy of quick transitions through the wings created numerous opportunities, while Tarleton State's effective use of set pieces, evidenced by their nine corner kicks, proved crucial. The Texans' defensive organization, particularly after taking the lead, helped secure the victory despite late pressure from Utah Tech.
The result continues Tarleton State's bounce-back from consecutive losses, while Utah Tech's unbeaten run ends at two matches. Both teams demonstrated their offensive capabilities, with the combined seven goals highlighting their attacking prowess. The match's intensity reflected both programs' competitive growth in conference play.
Looking ahead, Tarleton State will host Abilene Christian on October 10 at 8:00 PM, seeking to build on this momentum. Utah Tech returns home to face Utah Valley on October 9 at 9:30 PM, aiming to rebound from this narrow defeat. The match officials maintained control throughout the high-scoring affair, though their names were not provided in the official record.