Utah State women’s soccer goes 0-1-1 during trip to California
Little seemed to go in favor of the Utah State University women’s soccer team during its trip to California last week.
Thursday’s draw with Fresno State University was the third match in a row where the Aggies went into double-overtime. Going into the 90th minute, Utah State looked like it might sneak by with a 1-0 win — but Fresno State refused to give up, sneaking in the equalizing goal with four seconds remaining in regulation.
The teams battled all the way through double-overtime, with Utah State logging three shots in just over two minutes, but neither side could place the ball in the net. The score remained 1-1, resulting in the Aggies walking away with their first draw of the regular season. Freshman forward Sid Barlow scored Utah State’s first and only goal of the match in the 75th minute of play, coming off an assist from junior midfielder Kami Warner. The tally was Barlow’s second goal of the season.
The team had 11 total shots throughout the match, with six on goal. In net, freshman goalkeeper Diera Walton saved three of Fresno’s four shots on goal. The Aggies only had two corner kicks to the Bulldogs’ nine.
Saturday’s loss to San Jose State University came as the result of a handball called against junior defender Imelda Williams in the 73rd minute. The call led to a penalty kick, which the Spartans converted into a goal. Shots were few and far between during the match. The first of the game was logged by the Spartans in the 13th minute, while Utah State would not record its first shot until the 19th minute. At the half, the Aggies had only logged four total shots.
Though the Aggies gained momentum in the second half — outshooting San Jose 9-7 — several shots sailed over the net and none found their way into the goal. San Jose State claimed a 1-0 victory over Utah State, dropping the team’s overall record to 6-5-1. The game, which was also first non-overtime conference match of the Aggies’ 2019 season, carried major weight in the conference standings, as USU dropped to 10th in the Mountain West standings, one spot below SJSU. Junior midfielder Ashley Cardozo led the team with four shots, two on goal. Walton finished the match with four total saves.
Up next, Utah State returns home to Chuck and Gloria Bell Field where it will take on the University of New Mexico on Friday at 4 p.m.
Twitter: @SydChap