Perfection: With win over LaTech, Aggies finish undefeated in WAC play
Make it a perfect seven.
Behind a goal by sophomore forward Lauren Hansen, the USU women’s soccer team beat Louisiana Tech 1-0 Friday to remain undefeated in Western Athletic Conference play and claim the top seed heading into the WAC Tournament.
With a 12-7-1 season record and a 7-0-0 WAC record – both school records – the Aggies played their best season of soccer in USU history.
“I think my confidence in the team is really high right now,” head coach Heather Cairns said. “I think that confidence is balanced with the (team’s) blue-collar attitude.”
Claiming the WAC regular-season title before playing Louisiana Tech, the Aggies knew a win in Ruston, La., was just icing on the cake. And by all accounts, it didn’t look too difficult.
Last season, the Aggies obliterated the Lady Techsters 10-1 at home to finish the season. And going into Friday’s match, Louisiana Tech had yet to win their first-ever conference game.
But those stats can be deceiving. This season’s Louisiana Tech squad is much improved over previous years. With a 10-5-5 overall record and a 0-3-4 conference record, the Lady Techsters played their best season of soccer in school history and came close to beating San Jose State, Nevada and Boise State.
Though the Aggies had plenty of success against much tougher opponents, Cairns said they were a little weary of Louisiana Tech.
“It’s hard to play on the road, hard in particular to play at La Tech,” Cairns said. “It’s a tough place to play in combination with a team that’s greatly improved. We all wondered what the level of competition was. They were a team that played with great confidence and courage.”
That confidence manifested itself in one of the closest matches the Aggies have played this season. Both teams were scoreless in a first half that only saw eight total shots.
“We didn’t play poorly in the first half but we definitely played better in the second half,” Cairns said. “Our chances were much more dangerous than their chances.”
The Aggies scored the game-winning goal in the 53rd minute, when junior midfielder Lindsey Smart fed the ball to Hansen, who beat a defender and sunk the ball in the back of the net.
The Lady Techsters played five defenders, so, to counteract, USU played four forwards. Cairns said the Aggies had “one or two other opportunities to score,” but couldn’t finish the plays.
Cairns said sophomore midfielder Heather Pond played particularly well, providing good passing and defense, which made her a “big catalyst.”
Louisiana Tech had scoring opportunities, penetrating the box, but the Aggie defense played well in clearing balls. Though senior goalkeeper Ali Griffin posted four saves on the day, Cairns said none of those shots were particularly dangerous and Griffin did her role in keeping the board clear.
Despite not scoring, Cairns said Louisiana Tech played well.
“Their seniors had never had a WAC win,” Cairns said of Louisiana Tech. “They were playing for a berth in the conference tournament. They played a really good game.”
Next up for the Aggies is the semi-final match of the WAC Tournament. Because USU earned the top seed, they get a bye in the first round and will play the winner of the first round.
-seth.h@aggiemail.usu.edu