Soccer draws with Wyoming
The Utah State women’s soccer team finished up its three game homestand on Sunday with a 1-1 double overtime tie to the Wyoming Cowgirls.
“We aren’t happy with it,” USU Head Coach Heather Cairns said. “This is a game where we felt like we left points on the table. It’s not a draw we are particularly happy with. We have to find some accountability in terms of scoring goals. That’s really what we are struggling with.”
Although USU dominated the game both on offense and defense, the Aggies played their sixth overtime of the season. The Aggies haven’t lost an overtime session, sitting at a respectable 2-0-4.
The Aggies came out well in first 25 minutes of the match, creating numerous goal scoring opportunities.
Sophomore Jade Tarver had the best goal-scoring chance for the Aggies in the 24th minute, but her header sailed over the crossbar after a cross by Jennifer Flynn.
USU continued to pressure the Cowgirls, and in the 31st minute the team saw another opportunity go by the wayside when a cross from Flynn was taken by sophomore Lexie Morgan, but her shot couldn’t beat the keeper. The ball rebounded to Kendra Pemberton who had her shot blocked for a corner kick.
Wyoming didn’t have many opportunities in the first half, but they were able to capitalize on a corner kick in the 34th minute.
After two great saves by USU goalkeeper Ashlyn Mulford, the Cowgirls were awarded a corner kick, and Lucie McDowell was able to direct her header into the back of the net to give her team the 1-0 lead.
Despite outshooting Wyoming 12-5 in the first half USU went into halftime trailing.
“We were dominating the first 20-25 minutes they crossed half-field once and scored,” Cairns said. “It’s at that point where we got too comfortable, we didn’t have that killer instinct to put the ball in the back of the net.”
The Aggies came out in the second half much like in the first. They were creating opportunities but not troubling Wyoming goalkeeper Courtney Merkle.
USU outshot Wyoming in the second half 10-4. but only managed to tie the game on a penalty kick in the 73rd minute.
Junior forward Mari Miyashiro was taken down in the 18-yard box which led to the penalty kick. Senior defender Natalie Norris, who was celebrating her 22nd birthday, converted the penalty to tie the game 1-1.
“I was just glad Mari took the chance to go to goal for that and draw the PK,” Norris said. “I have been working on (penalty kicks) in practice so I felt confident going into it.”
USU continued to attack the Wyoming defenders but to no avail.
Wyoming played the last eight minutes of regulation and overtime down a player after McDowell was given her second yellow card of the match.
In overtime the Aggies continued to their dominance of the opposition, outshooting them 4-1.
In the first overtime USU had a goal reversed back after Flynn’s initial shot was saved Pemberton tapped it in, but she was ruled offsides.
It seemed as though the Aggies would get the golden-goal in the second overtime, but Merkle made a terrific save.
“It was a good preparation for us physically and mentally,” Norris said. “As well to see how we actually need to come out and play to be able to get the results we want, and know we need to play every minute of every game to the very last whistle.”
With the tie USU’s record stands at 6-2-4 entering WAC play.
“WAC everyone is 0-0, everybody is fighting for the same thing,” Cairns said. “I don’t know anybody in conference
that has put together a good enough schedule for an at-large bid, so everyone is going to be fighting for that automatic bid.”
The Aggies will hit the road to begin conference play on Friday when they take on New Mexico State.
– jborba@aggiemail.usu.edu
Twitter: @jborba15