First round exit for men’s soccer

The Cincinnati Bearcats ended the Utah State men’s soccer season Friday in Memphis, Tennessee. Utah State lost 3-0 in the first round of the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association Championship Tournament.

“We came out a little slow,” said Landon Howard, starting goalkeeper for the Aggies. “We didn’t play to our full potential at first. We came together but ended up going down as a team.”

Despite the early exit from the tournament, Utah State ended the season ranked 16th in the nation, the highest rank they have received in at least 12 years.

According to junior defender John Haddock, Utah State went into Friday’s game with four injured players and four others that were sick. By halftime Cincinnati had built a 3-0 lead.

“I feel like we performed well in group play,” Haddock said. “In the round of 16 we were disorganized and didn’t play well in the first half. We played better in the second, but it was too late.”

The Aggies tied twice Thursday in their divisional group to knock out Delaware and advance to the first round of the 16-team tournament. Utah State took on Florida State which ended in a scoreless draw and then tied 1-1 with Delaware. Delaware lost 0-1 to Florida State, leaving them in last place of the group.

Although the season ended without the NIRSA National Championship, both Haddock and Howard agreed the season was a success.

“This was one of the best years for USU soccer,” Howard said. “We had great chemistry. Just being here for the tournament has been a success. Our team grew together like a family this season.”

— kalen.s.taylor@aggiemail.usu.edu

Twitter: @kalen_taylor