Oct. 10, 2008

Box Score | Photo Gallery

LOGAN, Utah - LOGAN, Utah - Utah State soccer started conference play with a bang as the Aggies defeated Idaho 4-0 at Chuck and Gloria Bell Soccer Field on Friday. The Aggies are now 4-0 in Western Athletic Conference openers defeating both Louisiana Tech and Idaho twice. All four goals by Utah State were scored by freshmen, while the veteran Aggie backfield preserved the shut out.

With the win, the Aggies move to 6-7-1, 1-0 in the WAC. Idaho falls to 1-11-1, 0-1 in conference play.

The match was scoreless through most of the first half. The Vandals kept the Aggies on their heels. Utah State broke through in the 38th minute when freshman Summer Tillotson scored her second goal of the season, a bullet off a direct kick. Less than four minutes later, Marissa Sanchez became the second of three freshmen to reach the back of the net, scoring her first collegiate goal. Sanchez took the pass from sophomore Lauren Hansen form 10 yards out and delivered the ball just past Idaho goalkeeper Liz Boyden.

"We wanted to come out strong and set a tempo for the rest of the conference season," Tillotson said. "It is fun that all freshmen scored, but we couldn't have done it without everyone. It was definitely a team effort. We played so well, and it was a really fun game. Once we got the midfield working with the defense and the offense, everything went really well."

In the 60th minute, the Aggies stretched their lead to 3-0 when Shantel Flanary joined the freshmen frenzy, scoring her third goal of the season. Junior Lindsey Smart started the play with a corner kick. Flanary took the corner and headed the ball in. The assist was Smart's 10th career assist which put her in a tie for third all-time in assists with Ally Clegg (2000-03).

The Aggies made the score 4-0 on Flanary's second goal of the match and fourth of the season. Flanary took junior Sydne Porter's deep cross from seven yards out for the final goal of the match. The assist was Porter's first of the season.

"We looked a little shaky at the beginning and we had to just weather the storm," USU head coach Heather Cairns said. "It tooks us a little while to get our legs going, but once we did we just got better as that game went on. Summer (Tillotson) and Shantel (Flanary) have been key players for us. Marissa (Sanchez) has been coming along. She was hurt at the beginning of the year. We are really excited to get that production from her."

The Aggies now travel to Boise to take on the Broncos of Boise State. The Broncos opened the conference season with a 2-2 tie against Louisiana Tech. The match was played in a heavy snowstorm. The Aggies will meet the Broncos on Oct. 12 at 1 p.m.

SCORING SUMMARYGoal         Time  Team  Goal Scorer  Assists  Description1.  37:53  USU   Tillotson, Summer (2)  (unassisted)  shot to lower left corner off a direct kick2.  41:47  USU   Sanchez, Marissa (1)  Hansen, Lauren  from 10 yards out to lower right corner past gk3.  59:27  USU   Flanary, Shantel (3)  Smart, Lindsey  off cornerkick4.  79:10  USU   Flanary, Shantel (4)  Porter, Sydne  from 7 yards off from a deep cross
Shots by period          1    2      TotalIdaho               2    4   6Utah State              8   11      19

Corner kicks                 1   2   TotalIdaho               2   0   2Utah State              2   4   6

Saves by period          1   2   TotalIdaho               2   5   7Utah State              2   2   4

Fouls            1   2   TotalIdaho               4   2   6Utah State              2   2   4