Poor air quality postpones USU soccer match against Utah
Friday’s Utah State soccer contest against in-state rival University of Utah was postponed because the air quality in Logan was at an unsafe level.
The Air Quality Index at noon, four hours before the scheduled 4 p.m. kickoff, was 158, above the maximum of 149 for conditions considered safe for outdoor physical exertion. The NCAA and each conference encourages teams to monitor playing conditions and cancel or postpone games if necessary. Generally, this applies to lightning in most sports, though wet weather conditions which often postpone baseball and softball games. Cancelling games due to poor air quality is a relatively rare event.
According to a USU spokesperson, both coaches were keeping an eye on air quality and mutually agreed to not play in Logan today. There was some initial discussion of moving the game to Salt Lake City but both sides decided to postpone the game to a future date the spokesperson said.
Air quality improved to about 85 shortly before the original planned kickoff, but the coaches had to make a decision early to avoid a potential situation where the University of Utah drove up to Logan and were not able to play in a game if the air did not improve.
No details on what day the game will be moved to has been released as the teams are looking into what date will work best for both sides.
A Utah Youth Soccer clinic was also schedule to take place following the game, but will now be held after USU’s home match against Eastern Washington on Sept. 14.
The Aggies (0-2) are still searching for their first win. The team lost its regular season opener to Sam Houston State 0-2 and the home opener 1-2 to Minnesota. Sara Noel has the only goal for Utah State so far this season, including a 0-2 loss in an exhibition game to Southern Utah. The Utes (1-1) were coming into the game fresh off a 2-0 win over Weber State, their first win of the season after losing its home opener 0-1 to Minnesota.
USU’s next game will take place Aug. 31 at Loyola Maryland at 4 p.m.