Aggies Defeat Texas State in Inaugural PAC-12 Matchup

Utah State women’s soccer defeated the Texas State Bobcats 2-1 in their inaugural PAC-12 matchup. Not only was this the first-ever PAC-12 game for the team, but this was also the first matchup of two ranked teams in the history of Chuck and Gloria Bell Field. The Aggies entered the game ranked 22 and adn the Bobcats at 22.

The Aggies were able to control possession of the game for the majority of the opening of the game, but were not able to capitalize on many of their shots. In the first half, the Aggies took 15 shots on goal and didn’t allow the Bobcats to take a single shot.

Sophomore defender Capriel Winder made an impressive stop to halt a Texas State breakaway, and her clear helped open up the field for an Aggie goal. With the Bobcats’ defense rushing to get back, Samantha Sellers was able to find the goal, assisted by Hunie Kirai.

“It was really important to get on the board, and you know, if it was up to us, we’d have gotten on the board a few more times. I think, you know, any other day, create enough chances that maybe we should have scored two or three,” head coach Manny Martins said. “It was really important to get to start on the front foot and get to a better margin because we knew that there was always a chance to win.”

Texas State began to take a bit more control in the game until a series of yellow cards helped the Aggies regain possession and then gave the Aggies a free kick. Kei Yoneda scored on the free kick and moved the Aggies up 2-0

Texas State nearly scored on the Aggies off of a corner kick, but the goal was taken back after the referees determined the Texas State player pushed off USU goalie Ivy Nystrom.

The second half was a similar story with USU controlling the ball. Texas State was able to score an early goal on a breakaway, closing the gap to 2-1. This was only the second goal allowed by Nystrom in the Aggies’ previous five games. 

“We knew we were going to have to come out and put together a good second half. And obviously, we’re able to close out the game, but not without giving them a moment, and that’s how good they are,” Martins said. “One moment we give them a little bit of space, and they have enough quality to capitalize on it and punish us for that. The good part about it is it just keeps us grounded and understanding that we have to continue to grow.”

The Aggies were not able to score in the second half, despite the Aggies taking 18 shots on goal. Texas State’s goalkeeper Caitlyn Draper had 11 saves on the night to keep the Bobcats in the game.

Throughout the second half, the game became much more physical between the two teams, with multiple tackles and fouls by both teams.