USU Soccer: Aggies fall to the Utes 2-1 for first loss of the season
Utah State Soccer fell to in-state rival Utah 2-1 at Bell Field Thursday night. The loss broke the Aggies’ school record 12-game undefeated streak that began last season.
The Aggies (6-1-1) had lots of chances early but weren’t able to convert. Two attacks, one by Ashley Cardozo in the seventh minute and one by Nicole Hadlock in the 18th minute, resulted in close, but ultimately missed shots. Goalkeeper Dierra Walton also made solid plays on a couple of Ute crosses in the 28th and 35th minutes of play.
At the half, the two squads were deadlocked 0-0. The Utes looked threatening in the last few minutes of the first half, but a strong defensive stand by the Aggies’ Kelsey Steed-Kaufusi and Kenli Coon kept Utah off the board.
“I thought in the first half our shape, our positioning was good,” Utah State Coach Manny Martins said. “We had some really good clear chances that we lacked the quality to put it away.”
Coming out of halftime, the Utes struck first. Taliana Kaufusi found the back of the net for Utah in the 50th minute after the Aggies had fought off a couple of shots from her teammates.
Cardozo answered for the Aggies less than two minutes later when she placed a shot in the upper-right corner over the Ute goalkeeper who had been playing high up.
“I saw the goalie was a little bit forward so I thought perfect time to chip it over,” Cardozo said.
It was Cardozo’s third of the year and she was assisted by Karstyn Peterson her first of the season.
It took 30 minutes for another goal to come. The Utes scored off a free kick that hit the upper right corner of the crossbar and then bounced off the back of the goalkeeper, Walton, securing the road victory for Utah in the 83rd minute of play.
“We made errors that led to the goal. So we can go and fix those. It’s unfortunate, but it’s an opportunity for us to grow,” Coach Martins said.
The Aggies couldn’t find the back of the net after a few promising free kicks in the last five minutes of play. One of those free kicks was a Cardozo shot that hit the left post in the 87th minute. Three additional free kicks in the last three minutes didn’t amount to anything as the Aggies were unable to get past the Utah defense and their goalkeeper Chelsea Peterson. Peterson finished with three saves in the match.
Walton saved five shots keeping Utah State within one or tied the entire match.
Two Aggies made their collegiate debuts during the match. Heidi Smith and Kenli Coon both saw action as substitutes.
“Super excited for them. I know they’re both coming back from injuries and they work so hard. I think it’s so deserving for them and I’m excited and proud [for] them. Big things coming for those two,” Cardozo said.
767 supporters showed up to the rivalry match, filling in the bleachers and hill around the field.
“I just want to thank the fans so much. Their energy makes us want to play harder. Thank you to the fans and we appreciate the support more than they even know,” Cardozo said.
The Aggies will play their last non-conference game of the season Saturday as they travel to Provo to take on the #18 nationally ranked BYU Cougars at 5 p.m. Utah State has never gained a result against BYU, going 0-13-0 all-time record against the Cougars.
“I don’t know about history cause they’ve never played this team. History is against previous teams and I don’t care about that,” Coach Martins said. “We’ll come in our front foot and we’re gonna go try to win, that’s the only way we play.”