Men’s soccer split weekend games
The Utah State University men’s club soccer team split two games against in-state opponents over the weekend.
Friday afternoon at home, USU matched up against Salt Lake Community College. After playing a close-fought match, SLCC was able to leave Logan with the 1-0 win.
“We expected a close game, but we thought we’d put a couple on the board,” goalkeeper Paul Dowdy said. “It is unfortunate.”
Both teams had scoring opportunities early in the game but, were unable to capitalize. About four minutes into the game USU had a free kick about 30 yards out from the goal. On the kick, stopper Ryan Castillo arched the ball over the goal, unable to score.
Utah State had another excellent opportunity a few minutes later when a streaking USU player got leveled trying to get a shot away in the goal box. The referees awarded USU the penalty kick which was taken by midfielder Brandon Peterson.
Peterson tried to put the shot in low and to the far post, but a diving save by SLCC goalkeeper Mike Levalley kept the ball out of the net.
“It was a brilliant save,” Dowdy said.
SLCC got their first good chance at a goal about 12 minutes into the half. Off a corner kick SLCC sent the ball into the goal box where it was headed off the near post. USU was able to control the rebound and clear the ball.
The game remained a stalemate until midway through the half when SLCC finally got a good look at the goal.
Salt Lake received a free kick in the middle of the field just outside the goal box and USU set up a wall to stop the ball.
Dave Hober for SLCC took the kick and put the ball over the wall, as well as over Dowdy’s head, into the upper corner of the goal at the far post.
“It was a beautiful shot, an out-to-in bender,” Dowdy said.
The goal gave SLCC the 1-0 lead and would prove to be the winning goal.
Following Friday’s game, Dowdy said he thought the game was going to be a good wake up call for Saturday’ s game against the University of Utah. Dowdy was right.
Saturday, USU traveled to Salt Lake City to meet Utah for the second time this season. After losing 2-1 in overtime in the first match, USU came out of Salt Lake with a 3-1 victory.
Utah struck first in the game, scoring about 15 minutes into the first half, but Utah State came back at the end of the half. Midfielder Justus Loyet scored with only a couple of minutes remaining in the game to knot the score at 1-1.
“We looked a little sluggish at first, but we picked it up the last 15 minutes of the half,” Dowdy said. “We started to get good looks and control the game.”
In the second half, USU took the 2-1 lead on a goal by forward Jared Hanks. Hanks was able to put the ball in the net off of a corner kick by forward James Barnard.
During the second half, Dowdy said USU was able to wear Utah down and get into their heads.
“We dominated the second half,” Dowdy said.
USU started to use the entire width of the field and forced Utah to play defense instead of just sitting back and waiting for Utah State to go to them.
Dowdy said Utah had a couple of players who played aggressively and this resulted in some very physical play. One Utah player, who had received a yellow card early in the game, got into a skirmish with stopper Ryan Castillo and tried to punch him. Dowdy said Castillo had the Utah player tied up and the referee gave both players yellow cards. Because this was the Utah player’s second card, he was forced to leave the game with about 10 minutes left.
Utah State quickly capitalized on this advantage with Peterson scoring Utah State’s third goal to put the game away.
One improvement for Utah State in both games was the lack of penalties. In several games this season, Utah State has had to play a man down when players have been lost due to fouls.
In Friday’s game, Utah State did not receive any cards and only received one yellow card in Saturday’s game.
Dowdy said he wanted to stress the fact he is really proud about how the team controlled themselves. He also said both games were well officiated.
“I’m proud we held mentally,” Dowdy said.
Utah State was slated to play in Ogden against Weber State University this Saturday, but due to a tournament schedule change for Weber the game has been moved to Logan.
Utah State will meet Weber for the first time this season tomorrow on Tower Field at 4:30 p.m. With the schedule change, USU will now have two home games against Weber.