Men’s soccer team thumps UVSC 5-0
Midfielder Danny Spillman scored the first goal of the afternoon for the Utah State University men’s club soccer team, putting them up early en route to a 5-0 victory over Utah Valley State College. The win puts USU at 2-2 on the season.
“We played awesome the whole game,” said defender Jesse Wagner.
About five minutes into the first half Spillman received a centering pass from forward James Barnard, arching a shot over the goalie’s head into the upper corner of the net. This goal gave USU a lead they never relinquished.
Over the next 15 minutes, both teams showed strong defense in preventing the other team from scoring. Several times, UVSC appeared to have good scoring opportunities, only to have them broken up by strong USU defensive play. USU goalie Bryan Easterman also made several saves to keep UVSC off the scoreboard.
Utah State also had several shots but failed to capitalize. On one important play, the Aggies had a shot from just outside the goal box but were unable to score.
On the play, UVSC player Scott Mathoa went down with an ankle injury. After a short play stoppage, Mathoa was carried off the field by his teammates.
Following the play stoppage, USU was able to maintain the intensity they showed the whole game. Keeping on the attack, the Aggies were able to find the net again when midfielder Jeff Kelly put a low liner past the UVSC goalie.
“I was just in the right place at the right time,” Kelly said. “I got to the ball before the defender and snuck it past the goalie.”
Shortly after Kelly’s goal, USU struck again on a dazzling goal by midfielder Justus Loyet. Loyet received a cross pass from midfielder Brandon Peterson and was able to work it around the defender for the goal, putting the Aggies up 3-0.
“It was a perfect cross that I hit on my knee over the defender, hit it on my knee again, saw an inch opening on the post and shot it past the keeper,” Loyet said.
About 20 minutes through the half, as forward Neal Obray streaked for the goal, he was fouled inside the penalty box, earning a penalty kick.
Obray tried to drive the ball low past the goalkeeper, but though the UVSC goalkeeper made a diving stop, he was unable to control the ball, deflecting it back to Obray who put the rebound into the net at the far post.
Ahead 4-0 at this point, USU still did not give UVSC an opening. UVSC did have an opportunity on a free kick from just inside the midfield line, but a diving stop by Easterman prevented a goal.
At this point, frustration began to show for UVSC. After a stop by the UVSC goalie, an altercation arose between Barnard and UVSC player Jamie Ayres. Ayres shoved Barnard into the keeper and the referee gave Ayres a red card.
Though Utah State had a comfortable lead, they took advantage of being a man up by scoring again. On a shot from the near post by a Utah State player, the UVSC goalie deflected the ball but once again could not control the rebound. Kelly was in the right place again and was able to put the ball into the back of the net for his second goal of the game.
As the game wound down UVSC made one final attempt to score, but again ran into a wall. UVSC had an open shot and kicked it high for the center of the goal, but Easterman was able to make a punch save and put the ball over the net.
With that final save, Easterman was able to secure the shutout and Utah State had earned the 5-0 victory.
“We played a strong game from start to finish, we didn’t waver,” said Wagner. “We got a great game from the bench, the whole team played great.”
USU will return to action against Brigham Young University in Provo on Saturday night.