Soccer wins Mountain West Championship, makes history
LARAMIE, Wyoming — Utah State University soccer (14-7-1, 9-2 MW) won the Mountain West title for the first time in program history defeating Colorado State 1-0 on Nov. 4 at the Madrid Sports Complex.
“I don’t even know how to describe this feeling. Winning this championship with them my freshman year is something that I dream of. This team is so amazing, the hard work we’ve put in this entire season, it just feels so deserving being here and winning the championship,” said freshman forward Kate Christian.
Both teams stayed scoreless until the 78th minute, when Christian ran the ball past CSU’s defenders for a clear shot in the top left corner of the box. Christian was also the only scorer against Boise State in their final regular-season game.
“I saw a test with that ball and I just knew that run was on, and she just played me the most perfect ball, so all I had to do was put it in the corner,” Christian said.
“This is what Kate does best, this is what our kids do best is find a way. We knew this was a really good team. We knew this would be difficult. We just needed to be clinical, and that’s exactly what happened and a goal coming from a game changer,” said head coach Manny Martins.
After focusing the majority of the game on defense, the Aggies found an opportunity to gain the lead. Sophomore forward Tess Werts placed the ball midfield past the Ram’s defense in a straight shot to Christian. CSU’s keeper Shayna Ross dove for the ball, but it was just out of reach.
USU’s deep roster has helped them throughout this year’s historic campaign and did the same in the championship game, with a total of 20 players touching the field.
“It’s awesome to have such amazing depth on this team. It really helps us to feel comfort in the back line. We always have someone coming in with more energy, ready to press and ready to score for us, and Kate brought it today and we’re grateful she put it in the back of the net,” said senior defender Kelsey Kaufusi.
USU went into the tournament as the No. 2, seed with the defense holding 19 of the past 22 opponents to one goal or less. Walton earned another clean sheet after playing all 90 minutes of the game, a normality throughout the season.
Each goalie logged two saves, with 13 total shots from USU and five from CSU. USU kept possession 56% of the game and CSU 44%.
“Our defense has been our cornerstone ever since I arrived, and they just get better and better. Definitely the best that we’ve been. They have given us the opportunity to win games because they keep us in games until late. I can’t even describe it,” Martins said.
Match celebrations included an awards ceremony where four USU players earned a spot on the Mountain West All-Tournament team. Graduate goalkeeper Diera Walton, junior defender Addy Symonds-Weichers and sophomore midfielder Kaitlyn Richins were named, along with senior midfielder Whitney Lopez, who was also named the tournament’s most valuable player for her game-winning score against Boise State in the semifinals.
The win solidified a spot for the Aggies in the NCAA tournament, the third-ever time for USU and the first time since 2012.