Fear, growth, and leadership: Taylor Rath’s Journey to Utah State soccer
When senior goalkeeper Taylor Rath transferred to Utah State University from Pepperdine University, she wasn’t just chasing a new opportunity — she was confronting fear.
“A little bit of fear and also just trusting that I knew in my heart I’d get the most player development out of Utah State,” Rath said in an interview with The Utah Statesman. “I was probably the most scared to come to Utah State out of my three schools, and it turned out to be the best decision I made, and I couldn’t have imagined going to another school or playing somewhere else.”
She said her fear pushed her to take a big step. Adapting to a new program and meeting new teammates was not easy. However, during her time with the Aggies, Rath has become a player recognized for her skill in games and her positive presence in the locker room.
“She’s brought a level of maturity that’s so valuable for us,” said USU Women’s Soccer head coach Manny Martins. “We have so many young players playing and getting established — to have a goalkeeper that is a bit more mature and has a lot of experience behind them just brought a lot of leadership and confidence.”
Rath, who spent the past three seasons at Pepperdine after beginning her career at the University of Texas at San Antonio, admitted her journey has been anything but smooth. She’s faced injuries, transfers, bench time and moments of self-doubt. But every challenge, she said, has shaped her into the player she is today.
“Nothing has come easy in soccer,” Rath said. “’I’ve gone through knee surgeries. I’ve gone through being benched. I’ve gone through just playing. I’ve gone through all the ups and downs of doubt, and I think that’s what keeps me wanting to push so far.”
According to Martins, her hard work shows on the field. During her 2023 season at Pepperdine, she recorded a 9-4-5 record, logging 1,560 minutes in goal with a 1.10 goals-against average and a .776 save percentage. These statistics helped earn her a spot on the All-Mountain West Second Team after transferring to USU.
Goalkeeper Taylor Rath kicks the ball from the goal during a match against Weber State on Sept. 11.
Now, as one of the older players on the roster, Rath works to foster a strong relationship with her youngest teammates.
“I have those close relationships, and I’m always going to be an ear for them, whether it’s on the field, off it, spending an hour to dig out Summer Diamond’s car in the snow or jumping through the girls’ car windows,” Rath said.
That attitude hasn’t gone unnoticed by her teammates or coaches.
“She’s definitely a good guide on and off the field,” Martins said. “She’s been a starter in other places, but she’s also been the number two, so all of that experience has helped her not only connect with some of the other players but particularly our goalkeeper union.”
For Martins, Rath represents the type of player USU’s program strives to recruit: talented but also selfless and grounded.
“Everything starts with the soccer pieces, right?” Martins said. “But then the character piece is so important for us — we pride ourselves on having a really strong culture. All it takes is one personality that’s not a fit to ruin everything.”
Rath credits much of her confidence to the support she’s found in Logan, both from her teammates and from the environment the coaching staff has built. According to Rath, she came to USU knowing that she’d have the best chance to grow — not just as a player but as a person.
“My goals were definitely to be heavily involved with the team, spend time with them and really just embody the culture and do everything for the team,” Rath said.
Rath takes pride in staying grounded, even with the pressures of being a student-athlete. Between practices, travel and academics, she said balance comes down to presence.
“Just put one foot in front of the other,” Rath said. “Be where your feet are. I have ‘carpe diem’ tattooed on me. It’s just being in the present moment, seizing the day.”
This mindset has helped her handle both the nerves before a big game and the challenges of everyday college life.
“You just have to jump,” Rath said. “You’ve got to go all in, and you can’t look back. Fear is the unknown. I have no idea what this is going to be, but if I don’t do those things that scare me, I’ll never gain the confidence to go out and do things in the world.”
That fearless approach is something Martins sees translating to the next level. He believes Rath has the talent and mentality to play professionally after graduation.
USU goalkeeper Taylor Rath sends the ball downfield to her team during the USU vs CSU soccer game at Chuck and Gloria Bell Field on Sept. 25. (Dane Johnson/The Utah Statesman)
“Taylor is definitely a future pro,” Martins said. “It’s definitely something that she wants to do. She’s got the qualities, the pieces, so we’ve been working on some of the details.”
For Rath, the dream is simple: keep playing soccer as long as she can.
“As long as my body will let me, I’ll keep going,” Rath said. “I love this game more than anything.”
While she’s focused on what lies ahead, she remains deeply grateful for all that USU has given her: lasting friendships, confidence and an even stronger love for the sport.
“The grass isn’t always greener on the other side,” Rath said. “It’s greener where you water it, and the sprinklers have been on at Utah State.”