Griz soccer tips So. Utah, 3-0

The Montana Grizzlies officially opened their soccer season with a victory Thursday, beating Southern Utah 3-0 behind two goals from Chloe Seelhoff at South Campus Stadium. 

The defending Big Sky Conference regular-season champions got the only goal it needed at 25 minutes of the first half, when preseason all-Big Sky pick Maddie Ditta scored off a feed from Mia Parkhurst. 

Before the first half ended, Seelhoff scored off an assist from Glacier High alum Reagan Brisendine. Brisendine, who played 43 minutes off the bench, also took one shot. 

Seelhoff took seven, putting four on goal. The Grizzlies outshot the Thunderbirds 21-6, and had eight shots on goal to the visitors’ two. 

In all, 22 Grizzlies saw action. Ashlyn Sandow played 36 minutes and set up Seelhoff in the 65th minute. 

Bayliss Flynn and Ashlyn Dvorak split the goal keeper duties, each playing one 45-minute half and making one save. Southern Utah’s Jazmyn Brass stopped five shots.  

Montana had a pair of exhibitions leading up to Thursday’s opener: against Air Force in Columbia Falls on Aug. 4 and one with Calgary on its home pitch on Tuesday.

The Grizzlies’ next action is its own “Rumble in the Rockies” at South Campus Stadium Aug. 21 and 24. Baylor and Denver play on Aug. 21 at 3 p.m.; The Grizzlies host Seattle University at 6 p.m. 

Montana will play Baylor on Aug. 24 at 1:30 p.m.