Sept. 28, 2008

Box Score

LARAMIE, Wyo - Behind two second-half goals, the Utah State soccer team won its first road match of the season, 2-1, at Wyoming on Sunday. The Aggies concluded the two-match road trip with a 1-1 record and improve their overall record to 5-6-1, while the Cowgirls fall to 5-5-1.

The Aggies won their first match against the Cowgirls since their inaugural season in 1996. The Cowgirls now hold a slight 3-2 series advantage. USU ends the road trip 1-1 after a tough 1-0 loss to Cal Poly on Sept. 26.

"This was a big weekend for us. We wanted to replicate what we would have to endure with the travel to Hawai`i and San Jose State in WAC play," USU head coach Heather Cairns said. "We had a long day of travel, and it was big for us to win the second game of the road trip. We feel like we are primed for conference play."

Utah State struck first when junior striker Erin Salmon scored her third goal of the season. In the 55th minute, Salmon picked up a loose ball and blasted the ball in the back of the net from 18-yards out. Her third goal matches her career high for goals in a season as she scored three goals her freshman season. Salmon is now second on the team in points scored behind sophomore Lauren Hansen's nine points.

The Aggies took a 2-0 lead on what would be the game-winning goal in the 80th minute. Freshman Summer Tillotson scored her first collegiate goal off a penalty kick. After a Cowgirl hand ball, Tillotson shot her first penalty kick of the season to give USU the 2-0 advantage. The Aggies have converted two of three penalty kick chances this season.

The Cowgirls cut the lead to 2-1 with only six seconds remaining. Emily Layton scored her sixth goal of the season off the pass from Jerrica Divincenzo.

Senior goalkeeper Ali Griffin allowed just one goal and made six saves. Wyoming out shot Utah State 16-10. Senior Candice Clark had three shots, while Erin Salmon came off the bench and had two shots.

USU now heads home for its final non-conference match against instate rival BYU on Thursday, Oct. 2 at 4 p.m. at Chuck and Gloria Bell Field. Admission to Utah State soccer matches is free.

SCORING SUMMARYGoal    Time    Team    Goal Scorer     Assists     Description1.  54:23   USU     Salmon, Erin  (unassisted)    Picks up loose ball & scores from top of 18-yard box.2.  77:40   USU     Tillotson, Summer        Penalty kick3.  89:54   UW      Layton, Emily (6) Divincenzo, Jerrica From outside left corner of 18-yard box
Shots by period      1   2   TotalUtah State      4   6   10Wyoming         8   8   16
Corner kicks             1   2   TotalUtah State      4   1   5Wyoming         2   6   8
Saves by period      1   2   TotalUtah State      3   3   6Wyoming         2   3   5
Fouls            1   2   TotalUtah State      2   3   5Wyoming         4   5   9