The Dixie State University women’s soccer team had an up and down weekend, finishing with both a win and a loss.
The Trailblazers beat Humboldt State University 0-2 Thursday thanks to a stout defensive effort and an outstanding game by junior forward Darian McCloy. McCloy recorded a goal in the first half and an assist in the second as the DSU notched its first win of the season.
“[The] Humboldt game was a good game for us,” said McCloy, a nursing major from Herriman. “I think we learned a lot [from it].”
“We did some great things [against HSU],” head coach Kacey Bingham said. She said she was also “impressed with the growth the team showed” from the win on Thursday.
The second game of the weekend saw DSU fall to Sonoma State University 3-1 Saturday.
The Trailblazers scored their lone goal in the second half when sophomore defender Nichole Mertz threw the ball in from the sideline to freshman forward Kamie Hunter near the goal. Hunter passed it to McCloy who fired it in to get DSU on the board.
The 2-0 first half deficit proved to be too much as DSU couldn’t catch up in the final frame and fell 3-1 to the Seawolves.
“My frustration is that we didn’t take enough growth from [Thursday’s game] into today,” Bingham said. “We’re still letting some bad habits linger instead of making some final changes.”
The second half of the game against SSU was more positive as the Trailblazers were able to limit what the Seawolves were able to do offensively. Bingham said the team was able to address defensive breakdowns and make necessary adjustments.
“[Against SSU], we didn’t come out as strong as I think we could have,” said McCloy. “But it does prep us for the season, and I think we’ll be better because of it.”
The good thing about suffering tough losses and disappointment is that it gives teams the opportunity to learn from mistakes and improve.
“We just need to pick up the slack,” said senior midfielder Alexis Torres, a criminal justice major from Tucson, Arizona. “[We also] just need to hold each other accountable.”
DSU played Westminster College on Tuesday, but results were not available by press time. It will also face Southern Utah University before starting conference play.
Heading into these contests, Bingham said the team is looking to be more consistent and not let nerves become a factor but turn them into execution.
The Trailblazers square off against the Thunderbirds Saturday at 1 p.m. in Cedar City.