Soccer team starts off year with exhibition win
New facilities, new uniforms and new faces didn’t change the outcome for the Utah State women’s soccer team, and the Aggies picked up right where they left off with a 1-0 exhibition win over Southern Utah on Saturday.
After winning the Western Athletic Conference regular season and tournament titles in 2012, USU had little trouble with the Thunderbirds, recording 15 first half shots while allowing two and dominating possession throughout the first half.
“It was a perfect exhibition,” said Heather Cairns, Utah State head coach. “Our team is a lot different, and I thought they responded very well. We had a lot of opportunities to finish, and we tightened up defensively in the second half.”
Despite returning just three seniors from last season’s championship team, Utah State took advantage of a slower Southern Utah squad in the attacking third, earning six first half corners and putting Thunderbird goalie Charly Booth under constant pressure.
Junior Kendra Pemberton nearly capitalized off of an SUU miscue in the 29th minute, but her shot from the toe top of the penalty area sailed inches right of the goal. Three minutes later, Pemberton found Danielle Gaztimbide for a shot at the net, but the freshman from Salt Lake City was unable to finish and her shot sailed wide.
“Their goalkeeper came up big,” Cairns said. “She was great on crosses and 1v1’s. Her distribution was solid and her punts were very good. That helped them get into the attack. She was MVP caliber today for sure.”
The Thunderbirds nearly took the lead in the 33rd minute when Aggie goalkeeper came out to clear a ball, only to have her clear attempt be blocked back and bounce a couple feet wide of the goal.
Utah State continued to put the pressure on in the second half, and in the 61st minute, the Aggies managed to break through.
Junior midfielder Jennifer Flynn made a run down the sideline and took a pass in the corner near the flag, dribbled past a defender and sent a cross into the box. Pemberton – a newly named co-captain – was there waiting and re-directed the ball past the goalkeeper into the net.
“I’d heard my name being called (to substitute),” Pemberton said. “I wanted to do everything I could to put us up before I went out because I knew I wasn’t going back in after.”
It was all the Aggies needed to secure the win, as the defense allowed three total shots by the Thunderbirds, including zero on-frame. USU took 23 total shots and had eight corner kick chances in 90 minutes.
“Today went really well,” Flynn said. “We have a really tough formation to play. The buildup was very good. That’s easy to do with a team like mine. They are ready to give you the ball when you ask for it and are quick on their toes. It’s easy to do with the players around me.”
The Aggies will head into a showdown with in-state rival Utah Friday, August 17th at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, with the game scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.
curtis.lundstrom@aggiemail.usu.edu