Cardozo, USU defeat Colorado State in MW Soccer Quarterfinal

Ashley Cardozo seems to have a knack for making a big play when it’s most needed. The all-time leader for game-winning goals for Utah State has had clutch goals all season long. 

Her biggest one came on Monday afternoon in Boise. 

Knotted at zeros in the second half of Utah State Soccer’s quarterfinal matchup in the Mountain West Tournament against Colorado State, Cardozo launched the ball from just outside the box. It sailed over the goalkeeper’s head and into the net to give the Aggies a 1-0 lead. 

The 50th minute shot proved to be the game-winner, as USU (13-5-3, 5-4-2) defeated the Rams (6-8-3, 5-5-1) 1-0 to advance to the semifinals against New Mexico on Thursday.

“Big time players come up and big time moments,” said Head Coach Manny Martins. “I couldn’t expect any less from Ashley.” 

Of Cardozo’s 7 goals on the season, 6 of them have come from outside the box. This one was well outside of the box, nearly 30 yards away from the goal 

“I saw the ball getting played into her into a space which we call seam two,  which is the space between the opposition’s backline and the midfield,” Martins said.  She had enough space to be able to receive it facing forward and carry the ball. And as soon as she did that, you know, I could see it coming.” 

Utah State finished the game with 8 shots, 4 on goal. Colorado State had 14 shots, 5 on goal. 

The final 20 minutes of the game, the Aggies didn’t account for “the little details” according to Martins, and nearly blew the lead. 

Colorado State had 9 second half shots. In the 80th minute, the Rams managed to poke the ball out of the hands of goalkeeper Diera Walton and kicked it into the net. Fortunately for the Aggies, a foul was called. 

The backline, anchored by Kesley Steed-Kafusi, held strong, and Utah State held on to win the postseason matchup. 

“Feels amazing,” Martins said. “Especially to be able to get here and to get a result. It’s always hard to beat a team twice, especially in the span of a week and a half. So this was special for sure.” 

The Aggies now turn their attention to New Mexico, who defeated them in extra time earlier in the season. 

“We’re looking forward to it,” Manny said. “Everyone left in the tournament right now is a team that we lost to. So this is an opportunity for us to, you know, to have a second go at it and see if we can write some of those wrongs.” 

Lady Aggies demolish Fort Lewis College in exhibition 

Utah State Women’s Basketball started their season on Monday night with a 90-43 exhibition victory over division 2 Fort Lewis College. 

It was a balanced offensive effort from the Aggies, with five players scoring double digits. Senior guard Kaylin Randhawa, who transferred from Pacific, led the way with 15 points, while graduate student Laci Hawthorne, a transfer from Murray State, tacked on 14. 

As a team, USU was 34-70 shooting (48.6%) while Fort Lewis was 14-61 (23%).

The Sky Hawks were competitive early on, but a 20-0 second quarter run helped the Aggies jump out to a 43-22 halftime lead. 

Utah State’s season officially starts on Tuesday, Nov. 9, at home against Westminster.