Oct. 2, 2003

LOGAN, Utah - Utah State soccer (6-4) opens Big West play against Cal State Northridge Friday at 3 p.m. The Aggies look to become the first USU soccer team to win three straight matches as they won two straight at the Soccer Etc. - Nike Invitational in Boise, Idaho last weekend.

Cal State Northridge is 2-4-3 on the season with wins coming against Gonzaga and Long Island. Both Matador victories were shutouts.

The USU-CSN series stands at 1-1. Last year the Aggies were 0-6-1 in the Big West before tallying a 1-0 shutout at Northridge. Leila Pate leads the Matadors with three goals this season, while Elana Alvarenga is second with two. Three other players have scored once for the Matadors. With a 1.28 GAA, Jen Jasper is CSN's starting goal keeper.

The Aggies own a 17-42-1 all-time league record in seven years of play in the Big West Conference. USU's best record in the league came in back-to-back 4-5 seasons in 1998 and 1999. Last year, USU posted a 2-6-1 record, finishing ninth.

USU's Megan Mills will be looking for her sixth shutout this season. She currently owns a goals-against average of 0.59.

The Aggies are back in action on Sunday at noon against Pacific.