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Ava Talaeai

@avatalaeai

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A. Talaeaai has been one of the most dependable players in the Utah Tech back line. Over her last five matches she played 503 minutes, completing every match, and did not pick up a single yellow card. She completed about 81% of her passes, won 6 of 7 aerial duels, and averaged more than 5 interceptions and 11 recoveries per match. Her best performance came in the 1-0 win over CSU, where she made 88 actions, won 17 of 32 duels, and recorded 7 interceptions and 15 recoveries as the team kept a clean sheet. She also helped Utah Tech beat Portland State 2-1, and she stayed busy in tougher matches against Utah State and Weber State, with 10 interceptions and 15 recoveries against the Aggies. Across the season she has logged 2,745 minutes, 132 interceptions and 325 recoveries, with only 5 yellow cards, which shows how much of the team’s defensive work runs through her and how consistently she does it.

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Name a better way to celebrate your first goal in a storm ⛈️

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@avatalaeai PK to finish the job today‼️🦬

#UtahTechIsHere | #BigSkyWSOC

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The stretch: UC Irvine (Aug 13) → UC San Diego (Aug 16) → Westminster (Aug 21) → Portland (Aug 23) → Utah Utes (Aug 31) → Utah Tech (Sep 4)
Minutes and reliability
Ava has played every match essentially wire-to-wire — 605 total minutes across six appearances, averaging just over 100 minutes a game (she's gone the distance plus extra time in several). No yellow or red cards across the entire stretch — a clean disciplinary record for a center back who's constantly engaged in duels and aerial battles.
Defensive output — the standout trait
This is where Ava separates herself. Her interception numbers are outstanding: 21 vs. UC Irvine, 15 vs. Westminster, 14 vs. Utah Tech, 12 vs. Portland, 10 vs. UC San Diego, 8 vs. Utah Utes — roughly 13 interceptions per game. For a center back, that volume signals elite anticipation and positioning; she's reading passing lanes and cutting out attacks before they develop into shots.
Duels and aerial ability
Her ground duel win rate has ranged from 47-70% depending on the matchup, and she's a real presence in the air — winning multiple aerial duels in four of six matches (2 of 3 vs. UC Irvine, 3 of 4 vs. Portland, 1 of 1 vs. Westminster). That combination of ground coverage and aerial strength is exactly what you want from a center-back anchor.
Passing and distribution
Ava's passing accuracy has been consistently strong — 95% vs. UC San Diego, 91% vs. Portland, 88% vs. Westminster, and no game below 72%. She's also been trusted with long-ball distribution, hitting some notably high long-pass accuracy games (100% vs. UC San Diego, 71% vs. Portland), suggesting she's comfortable breaking lines from the back rather than just playing it safe.
Ball security
Recoveries in the opponent's half (5-9 per game) show she's not purely reactive — she's stepping up to win the ball higher when the opportunity is there, while her own-half losses stay in a reasonable range for a center back under regular pressure.
Areas of growth
No goals, assists, or attacking output to speak of yet (just one shot across six matches), which is typical for a CB but worth noting if she's ever pushed into set-piece duty. Long-pass success dipped in a couple of matches

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Happy Heavenly Birthday to the love of my life.

I'd give anything for one more hug, one more laugh, or just one more ordinary day with you. Losing you has been the hardest thing we've ever experienced, and not a day goes by that we don't think about you or wish you were still here with us.

You were the heart of our family, our rock, and the one person we could always count on. You loved us without conditions and gave everything you had to me and our kids. Your strength, kindness, and love are still the foundation we lean on, even though you're no longer here beside us.

We're doing our best to make you proud, but there will always be a space that only you could fill. Your love still guides us every single day, and your memory lives on in everything we do.

We miss you more than words can ever say, and we will love you forever. ❤️

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Ava Talaeai earns call-up to the American Samoa National Team, wishing her luck as she gets the start tonight 🇦🇸

#UtahTechBlazers | #BigSkyWsoc | @footballamericansamoa

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Today’s Starting XI 💪🏽⚽️

Less than an hour before kickoff, don’t miss it! 🫵🏽‼️

Link for today’s semifinal match is in our bio! Let us know where you’re watching from and tag us in your stories waving your 🇦🇸 flag!

684 🇦🇸 to da 🌎

Photo Credit: OFC Media via Phototek and @gaze__designs

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All-WAC Trailblazers 🦬🔥

That’s a program-record 8️⃣ all-conference selections!

##utahtechblazers #wacwsoc

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flaneuring

#cinematic #productions #video #utah #zionnationalpark #zion #viral #usa

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2025 film March-May

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Recent Wasatch 📸

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A defender from Salt Lake City, Utah, Ava Talaeai has signed on the dotted line ✍️

Join us in welcoming her to Trailblazer Nation‼️

#UtahTechBlazers | #WACwsoc

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