Soccer posts third consecutive shutout in win over UNLV
The Utah State women’s soccer team beat the University of Nevada Las Vegas 2-0 Thursday afternoon at Chuck and Gloria Bell Field. The Aggies (10-7-1, 7-2-0 MWC) did not concede a goal for the third straight game and 5th in their last seven contests.
The Rebels (6-5-6, 2-4-3 MWC) have struggled of late, entering the contest with only one win in the month of October. Their only two conference wins have come against a pair of struggling squads in Wyoming and Colorado College. Utah State had played UNLV 16 times prior to Thursday’s contest and were 6-10-0 against the rebels, despite winning the last three.
For a USU team that has hung their hat on defense all season, this win was nothing short of a showcase. The first half was relatively quiet, with neither team able to find the back of the net. The best chance for the Aggies came early in the half when junior forward Bizzy Arevalo was able to steal a pass and get a breakaway look, but UNLV keeper Hanne Breur was able to get a hand on it and deflect it out of bounds.
The Aggies were able to spread out their offensive attack with eight players registering a shot in the first half, with Arevalo the lone Aggie with multiple shot attempts (2).
“We have an identity, how we want to work hard, how we want to make sure that we’re really disciplined or defending,” head coach Manny Martins said. “But as we grow, we also want them to be able to allow their personalities to come out within our structure. We’re encouraging that and they’re having fun, and so they’re starting to build a little bit more chemistry. I think that’s why the ball is being shared a little more.”
It wasn’t until the 66th minute that USU was able to break into the scoring column. A penalty in the box by UNLV senior Gabby Cameron granted the Aggies a penalty kick, which was swiftly punched in by sophomore midfielder Kaylie Chambers. This was Chambers’ team-best fifth goal of the campaign.
It took only 80 seconds for the Aggies to strike again, with senior Whitney Lopez finding the back of the net off an assist from junior forward Tenzie Knowles. For Lopez, who suffered a season-ending ACL injury a year ago, scoring her first goal since returning was a confidence booster.
“It feels amazing,” Lopez said. “Especially because I played longer in this game than I had in other games since my injury. So it feels nice to be back.”
Not only were the Aggies able to post their third straight game with 19 or more shots, but they were able to hold the Rebels to just four. For the Rebels, who lead the Mountain West in shots per game, it was their lowest mark of the season.
The Aggies next contest will be Sunday at 1 p.m. when they host the University of Nevada (6-6-5, 4-3-1 MWC) at Chuck and Gloria Bell Field.