Utah State women’s soccer splits series in Nevada
This weekend the Utah State University women’s soccer team opened conference play in Nevada with both matches ending in double overtime.
But Friday’s 1-0 win against the University of Nevada, Las Vegas would prove to be the only match in which the Aggies would walk away victorious.
In the 107th minute of play, freshman forward Chrstiane Sundstrom tucked between two UNLV players and shot the ball toward the right corner of the goal. The Rebels’ goalkeeper failed to get a hand on it and was forced to watch as the ball slid into the net for the winning goal.
AGGIES WIN!!!!
Christiane Sundstrom scores off an assist from Ashley Cardozo to give Utah State the 1-0 victory over UNLV.#AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/GpvaAz3FEW
— USU Soccer (@USUsoccer) September 28, 2019
It was Sundstrom’s first goal of her collegiate career. She is the 12th Aggie to score this season.
Utah State is currently the most diverse team in the Mountain West conference in terms of scoring. They sit just ahead of Boise State which has 10 players who have recorded goals this season.
Ten Aggies recorded shots against UNLV. Junior midfielder Ashley Cardozo lead the team with seven total shots, three of which were on goal. She also had the assist on Sundstrom’s winning goal.
In total, the team logged 21 shots with eight on goal compared to the Rebels’ 12 total shots, two on goal. Freshman goalkeeper Diera Walton saved both shots and recorded her fourth clean sheet of the season.
The Rebels’ shooting struggles weren’t the only factor which worked to Utah State’s advantage.
In the 82nd minute, UNLV’s Ariana Reyes picked up her second yellow card of the game which translated into a red card. The Rebels would have to finish the match with one less player on the field, an obstacle the team would not overcome.
But fate wouldn’t prove to be as kind to the Aggies in Sunday’s match against the University of Nevada, Reno.
Going into the match, the Wolfpack had a 1-7-0 record and just lost six matches in a row.
Despite having six corner kicks and hammering the goal with 24 total shots — 11 of which were on goal — Utah State would not prevail.
In the 105th minute of double overtime, Nevada’s Gabby Brown logged the game-winning goal for the Wolfpack. It was the first goal Walton allowed in more than 422 minutes of play. Walton recorded seven total saves against Nevada.
The 1-0 loss would leave the Aggies with an overall record of 6-4-0 and 1-1-0 for Mountain West play.
Up next, Utah State will travel to the Golden State where it will take on Fresno State on Thursday at 8 p.m. The team will finish the week on Saturday in matchup against San Jose State at 12 p.m.
Twitter: @SydChap