Flynn scores both goals in USU’s 2-0 shutout of Dixie State
USU freshman midfielder Jennifer Flynn scored both goals for the Aggies in Utah State’s 2-0 shutout win over Dixie State on Saturday.
Flynn came on as a substitute midway through the first half and on her first touch, combined with freshman forward Mari Miyashiro for a one-touch, line-drive goal.
USU head coach Heather Cairns said the game overall was good but thought the Aggies were fortunate to be up 1-0 at half.
“We started off a bit slow,” Cairns said. “We didn’t possess as well as we set our standard to. At halftime we made some adjustments and came out much better. I think we had more shots in the first five minutes of the second half than we did the entire first half.”
In the second half, the USU forwards moved around the field more, creating an opportunity for Flynn to get an open look at goal. Flynn shot from 30 yards out and floated the ball over the keeper and under the bar to give the Aggies a two-goal cushion they would hold on to all the way to the final whistle.
With the win, Utah State earned its sixth shutout of the spring season despite playing Saturday without juniors Summer Tillotson on defense and Chandra Salmon at defensive midfield due to injury.
“Whenever you get a shutout, it’s not just the result of what one person does,” Cairns said. “It’s the result of a lot of people being on the same page defensively.”
Transfer Shay Haddow, freshman Taryn Rose and sophomore defender Kami Montgomery filled in at the center-mid position for the Aggies.
Utah State was supposed to face the University of Utah in the BYU Outdoor tournament, but due to inclement weather and unplayable fields in Provo, USU’s game against Dixie was postponed and the game against the University of Utah was cancelled.
The spring season comes as a success for Utah State and Cairns, who are looking to fill the shoes left by all-time leading goal scorer Lauren Hansen, a senior last year.
“I think what’s been really exciting about this spring is that we’ve not relied on any one goal scorer,” Cairns said. “Kendra Pemberton has been extremely effective, Jenn Flynn has had some goals, Mari Miyashiro has had some goals, Shantel Flanary has been dangerous, Libby Lundquist has been dangerous. I think we’re going to be more balanced; I don’t think any one person is going to fill those roles.”
Over the course of the spring offseason, the Aggies have scored 19 goals and allowed just one.
“I feel like we’re getting the best out of our players,” Cairns said. “I feel like we’re pretty dangerous. I think the offensive production is very efficient right now.”
The recent offensive efficiency bodes well for a change in formation that the team has implemented during the spring. Instead of using a 4-3-1-2, Cairns moved to a 4-2-3-1 to bring out the strengths of her attacking players.
“I think we’re going to look different in the attack,” Cairns said. “We really tried to tweak it based on our personnel that we’re going to have next year. That’s what spring is for us; we really try and develop the skeleton for what we’re going to do in the fall. I feel like we are.”
Utah State is also excelling on defense. The only goal allowed so far during spring play came from a corner-kick, not during the normal run of play.
“Molli Merrill has a ton of experience in goal for us,” Cairns said. “Katie Crosland and Natalie Norris were our two centerbacks in the fall, so they have a lot of experience. We have a lot of experience in the back.”
Cairns said Merrill, Crosland and Norris constitute the defensive “spine” for Utah State, keeping the defense organized and on the same page.
“They keep us confident defensively,” Cairns said. “I think that experience is really showing through; they can read what each other are doing. They play really well as a group of four.”
Off the field, Utah State will be represented by junior forward Marissa Sanchez, who was selected to attend the 2011 NCAA Career in Sports Forum, May 11-14, in Indianapolis. Sanchez is one of 303 student-athletes accepted out of 1,100 who applied.
Cairns said the team is excited for the opportunity Sanchez earned.
“It was a very selective process, so for her to be able to stand out, we’re really proud of her that she’s one of our own,” Cairns said. “It’s a great opportunity for her to travel to Indianapolis to network with other student athletes from different school and to be mentored by some great professionals about careers in sports.”
Utah State will conclude spring ball at the Boise State Tournament on April 16 where they will face Montana and Boise State.
– tavin.stucki@aggiemail.usu.edu