Women’s soccer drops WAC opener against Hawaii
The Utah State women’s soccer team concluded a long and fruitless roadtrip Friday night, falling 2-1 in double overtime to the University of Hawaii in the Western Athletic Conference opener for both teams. Freshman midfielder Lexie Morgan scored the Aggies’ lone goal for the match, as the Rainbow Wahine’s intensity proved too much for USU.
“Lexie Morgan has been fantastic for us,” head coach Heather Cairns said. “She’s been a spark in our attack.”
Despite Morgan’s play, Cairns said she felt the Aggies “played flat,” and Hawaii played “inspired.”
It was Morgan’s second goal of the season, and it came in the 74th minute, as the Aggies fought for the equalizer after falling behind in the first half. Hawaii managed a late first-half goal, coming on freshman midfielder Ashley Haruki’s strike in the 45th minute.
“We just came out and needed to attack,” Cairns said. ‘Once you’re a goal down you don’t really have anything to lose. It was fairly difficult to get the equalizer.”
After Morgan netted her goal, neither team was able to capitalize on chances for the remainder of regulation. Sophomore midfielder Kendra Pemberton nearly gave the Aggies the lead, just four minutes after Morgan tied it, but Hawaii goalkeeper Kanani Taaca was able to make the save.
The Rainbow Wahine had their chances as well, including two late in regulation just before time expired. Junior forward Skye Shimbakuro had her shot sail just high in the 87th minute, and three minutes later senior defender Brittani Lum saw her shot go just wide of the goal.
“I think … part of the problem was we were all just OK,” Cairns said, of the Aggies’ performance. “We needed a game-changing performance and didn’t quite get that.”
With neither team able to break the tie in regulation, the match went to overtime, and neither team was able to come up with that “golden goal.” Hawaii’s senior midfielder Rachel Domingo took a corner kick in the 124th minute and was able to put it past USU goalie Molli Merrill. With that, the Rainbow Wahine came away with the win.
“It was one of those fluky corner kicks, hitting the right person in the right place.” Cairns said. “Hawaii was a really inspired team. They were really scrappy and played energetic, determined and maintained control.”
With the loss the Aggies fall to 8-4-1 on the season, finishing their five game roadtrip with a 0-4-1 record. Hawaii moved to 2-8-0 on the season, and 1-0 in WAC play. Coach Cairns is hopeful that the Aggies will turn around as they continue conference play.
“Obviously we’re on a skid right now,” Cairns said. “We’re excited to get back and play in front of our home crowd, who’s so boisterous and gives us such great support.”
Utah State returns home Friday, Oct. 7, at 3 p.m., to host New Mexico State. Louisiana Tech comes to town Sunday, Oct. 9, with the match scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.
– curtis.lundstrom@aggiemail.usu.edu