Soccer team tooks for win over Northwestern
Still riding high off their 7-0 shutout against Southern Utah University on Saturday, the Utah State women’s soccer team feels more than ready to start their first game of regular season play when they host Northwestern University on Friday at 4 p.m. at Tower Field.
Under new head coach Jen Kennedy Croft, the team has gained a strong sense of unity both on and off the field. The Aggies have impressed Croft with their strong sense of teamwork.
“When one team member struggles, all the others rally around her,” Croft said.
Using this sense of unity, the Aggies hope to have a winning season.
“We aren’t sure where Northwestern is. They have eight new freshman, a brand new coach and a new attitude, but the Big Ten is an excellent conference and this game will tell us where we are, and where we need to be,” Croft said.
Last season Northwestern went 3-12-2 overall and 2-7-1 in the Big Ten. Northwestern is returning with eight starters and 12 letter winners this season, including senior forward Katie Hertz who lead last years team in goals (4) and points (10), and junior midfielder Aileen Guiney who lead with three assists last season.
Croft feels there are a couple of things the team needs to watch out for against Northwestern.
“They have a lot of speed up front and have some size on us.”
The Aggies will look to junior Michelle Eversman and sophomore Amber Tracy to help the team in each game.
Eversman and Tracy each scored two goals a piece in the blow out against the Thunderbirds.
After Utah State hosts Northwestern, they will continue their season at home, hosting the University of Washington.
Croft feels Washington will be a challenge as they were ranked seventh in the NSCAA preseason poll.
The Huskies are opening their season against the Aggies, bringing with them seven starters and 15 letter winners from last year’s team.
Throughout their 11-year history, last season was Washington’s most successful. They finished with an 18-3 record in the 2000 season.
The defending PAC-10 champions were seeded No. 2 at last years NCAA Tournament, advancing to the Sweet 16 before falling to Portland in the Elite Eight.
Both games will be played at Tower Field.