OPENING KICKOFF: The Snow College women's soccer team faces Utah State University Eastern Friday in Price, Utah, at 1:00 p.m.
The Badgers, currently ranked No. 13 in the NJCAA Division I Women's Soccer Rankings, hold a 6-2-2 overall record, including a 4-1-2 mark in Scenic West Athletic Conference play. The Eagles hold a 6-3-1 overall record, including a 4-2-1 mark in conference play. The Eagles currently sit in fourth place in the SWAC standings; the Badgers are in third.
KNOW YOUR FOE: The Eagles enter Friday's match after a 3-0 win over Truckee Meadows Community College and a scoreless draw with the College of Southern Idaho. In the win over TMCC, the Eagles scored once before halftime and added two more goals in the second half.
Against CSI, they finished with seven shots on goal but couldn't find the net. Earlier this season, USUE earned a 3-2 win over North Idaho College after scoring three goals in the opening 29 minutes, and they also received a forfeit win over Pacific Northwest Christian College.
The Badgers and the Eagles will meet for the second time in conference play this season. In their first matchup, Snow College came away with a 1-0 win at home, with Kelsie Peterson scoring in the 78th minute. The Badgers recorded 21 shots, including five on goal, while USUE finished with eight shots and four on goal.
Last season, Snow College and USUE met twice, with the Badgers earning a 4-2 win in the first matchup before playing to a 2-2 draw in the second. The Badgers hold a 19-2-5 all-time record against the Eagles. Snow College's last loss in the series came in 2023, a 2-1 defeat in Price, Utah.
LAST TIME OUT: The No. 13 Snow College women's soccer team played to a 0-0 draw Thursday against the College of Southern Idaho in Twin Falls, Idaho, before earning a 9-1 win Saturday over Truckee Meadows Community College.
In Thursday's matchup, the Badgers finished with nine shots, including two on goal, while the Golden Eagles had 12 shots with three on target. Daisy Williams stopped all three shots she faced.
Snow College created a pair of chances on goal. In the 20th minute, Madi Thurgood's shot was stopped by the Lizards keeper, who also saved Thurgood's attempt in the 50th minute. In the 69th minute, Saige Meryhew's header went over the crossbar.
Saturday, the Badgers broke through with a 9-1 victory over TMCC. Carly Knudsen opened the scoring in the 19th minute off an assist from Kalle Jackson. Just two minutes later, Bailee Ballard added another goal in the 21st, assisted by Mirabel Shellabarger. Ballard struck again in the 27th minute, finishing a pass from Meryhew.
In the 38th minute, it was Meryhew's turn to score, finding the back of the net off an assist from Madi Thurgood. TMCC was reduced to 10 players in the 41st minute after receiving a red card.
The Badgers capitalized in the second half. Four minutes in, Brenna Arauzo scored with help from Ellie Cook. Hallie Hansen followed in the 54th minute, assisted by Arauzo. TMCC got on the board in the 74th minute, making it 6-1.
Snow College responded quickly. Anna Monson netted two goals, one in the 82nd minute from Caliyah Wagner and another in the 87th from Georgia King. Maci Nell capped the scoring with the ninth goal, assisted by Brindee Jones.
Snow College outshot the Lizards 28-2 and held an 8-2 advantage in corner kicks.
The Badgers now hold an overall record of 6-2-2 with a 4-1-2 mark in Scenic West Athletic Conference play.
UP NEXT: Next week, the Badgers travel to Rangely, Colorado, to face Colorado Northwestern Community College Thursday at 1:00 p.m. The Spartans enter with a 5-5-0 record. Snow College earned a 4-0 win over CNCC earlier this season, extending the Badgers' winning streak against CNCC to 18 games.
Following the CNCC game, Snow College will play No. 4 Salt Lake Community College Saturday, Oct. 11. The Bruins are 8-0-2 overall and 6-0-1 in conference play. The Badgers fell 4-0 to the Bruins in their earlier matchup this season. For video streaming and live stats, visit snowbadgers.com
