Aggies get win, confidence at Dixie State
Utah State women’s soccer Head Coach Heather Cairns couldn’t be happier with her team’s play during Wednesday’s exhibition contest.
The Aggies defeated Dixie State 3-0.
“It was a great thing to get the first win under our belt,” said the first year coach in a phone interview following the game. “The team is feeling great about themselves because they did it together. Dixie is an elite team that is annually ranked in the top five of the junior college polls. To get a win like this is a real confidence booster.”
Another positive from the game is the number of players who saw time on the field. The Aggies played 18 of the 24 women on their roster, including junior Lacy Gustaveson who headed in a corner kick by Ally Clegg at the 3:52 mark.
Gustaveson, a Hyrum native, transferred from Dixie State this season. While with the Rebels, Gustaveson was named to the 2002 NJCAA all-tournament team.
Dixie State was the junior college national runner-up in 2001 and the third-place team in 2002.
“It’s always fun to score on your old teammates,” Cairns said of Gustaveson’s goal.
Kami Kelley scored at the 7:42 mark off another corner kick by Clegg and Claire Schend knocked the ball in at the 33:14 mark off an assist by Charlsie Harris.
Not only was Cairns satisfied with the number of girls who saw game time, but she was also happy to see the balanced scoring attack.
Having three different players score goals for Utah State proves that the team doesn’t have to depend on any one player to get them on the board.
Aggie goalie Megan Mills worked the entire game, recording four saves. Dixie State goalie Suzy Hunt had five saves.
The Aggies open the regular season Friday with a game at Southern Utah at 5 p.m. and then head to UNLV on Sunday for a 2 p.m. contest.
-juag@cc.usu.edu.