USU soccer still perfect
The USU women’s soccer team has done it again. The 7-0-0 Aggies beat the Rice Owls 1-0 at Chuck and Gloria Bell Field on Thursday, Sept. 8.
“A really enjoyable back and forth game,” USU head coach Heather Cairns said.
The lone goal of the game was scored by sophomore midfielder Jennifer Flynn from Draper, Utah. In the 53rd minute sophomore Kendra Pemberton played a through ball to the left side of the box. It was an opportunity that Flynn couldn’t pass up as she placed the ball just past rice goalkeeper, Amy Czyz.
Aggie senior goalkeeper Molli Merrill saved three shots on goal in the second half and had several saves outside the box throughout the game.
The Aggies were geared up for a tough match. The Owls are ranked eighth in the Central Region, comparable to the Aggie seventh place ranking in the West Region.
During the first half, neither team scored, prompting an aggressive fight for first blood that increased in intensity as half-time neared. About midway through the first half, the Aggie defense stepped up their game, allowing only four shots. The Owl defense also came to play as the Aggies only had 2 shots in the first half.
In the first half Aggie top scorer, senior forward Shantel Flanary, played much lower on defense than in the second. From this position she cleared more headers of the box.
“We count on her to destroy teams’ set plays,” Cairns said.
The second half was even more exciting than the first. Just 8 minutes into the half, the game’s only goal was scored.
Pemberton’s assist was placed perfectly for Flynn who converted on shot.
After the game, Jennifer stated that the success of her shot was based on the fact that they had multiple people attacking the goal causing the defenders to have to watch more than one player. Which meant that when they converged on left footed kicker Pemberton, Flynn was open for the shot.
“Jen is known for her long range shooting,” said Cairns.
This is Jennifer’s second goal, her first came off another long shot (20 to 25yards out) at Colorado College on August 26.
During the second half, the Owls had possession of the ball for more time than the Aggies. Despite the uneveness in possesion time, Aggies were able to defend well even as the Owls stepped up their game after the Aggies scored.
Coach Cairns stated this was possible because their back line was strong and their mid-fielders always returned to defense when play was on their end. She did wish they could have controlled possession of the ball more after the goal and used that as a defensive strategy.
The USU woman’s soccer team takes the field again Sunday, facing off against Idaho State University at 1 p.m.
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