Utah State soccer team falls in overtime to Utah
Last season, the University of Utah soccer team came away with a close 3-2 win over Utah State in Salt Lake City.
The game was just as tight this year and the outcome was much the same – the Utes came away with the 1-0 win in overtime.
Utah is ranked 24th in the Soccer America poll.
The match was scoreless throughout regulation due to stiff defense on both sides. Utah had six shots on goal in the game, while USU had only three.
Despite keeping the game close, the loss was disappointing to the Aggies.
“Our team is kicking themselves,” said Head Coach Heather Cairns. “We just didn’t come out on top today.”
Senior defender Shaylee Wilson said, “It’s very disappointing. We played with them. We kept with them. It’s on goal that determines a game.”
Utah (4-1) came into the game with a win against then 17th-ranked Michigan. Their lone loss came against the currently ranked 15th Texas A&M team.
“Every game has been a learning experience,” Cairns said. “They’re getting better. Losses stink.”
Utah controlled the ball for most of the match, taking 15 shots. The Aggies had five looks. It was the first time this season USU had been outshot.
Aggies Charlsie Harris, Charity Weston and Kami Kelley each had a shot on goal, while goalkeeper Megan Mills had five saves in almost 95 minutes on the field.
Mills has only allowed five goals this season.
“They did great,” Cairns said. “We had a little trouble getting into the attack.”
After the stalemate in regulation, the game was decided quickly in the first overtime.
Utah scored off of a set play resulting from a penalty kick in the fourth minute of overtime. Amanda Feigt scored the goal and Bobbie Benegas earned the assist.
USU nearly won the game just a minute before Utah scored. Sophomore Charlsie Harris almost put in a shot from just a few feet outside the goal off a pass from senior Ally Clegg.
The shot was deflected by a Utah defender.
The extra period was the first of its kind for Utah State this season. At this time last year, the Aggies had been in a double-overtime situation twice, both ending in ties.
The match marked the end of the Utah State four-game home stint. The Aggies leave for a three-game road trip beginning next Tuesday with a contest at Portland State.
Utah State also heads to Boise to take on Northern Colorado and Northern Arizona on Sept. 26 and Sept. 28, respectively.
The Aggies won’t return to Chuck and Gloria Bell Field until Oct. 3 when they take on Cal State Northridge in the Big West conference opener.
-chrisbarn@cc.usu.edu