SAN DIEGO, Calif. – Penalties played a big role on both ends of the field Friday night, as Utah State soccer fought San Diego State to a 2-2 double-overtime draw.
Three of the four goals scored in Friday's contest came off of fouls, as the Aztecs scored two penalty kicks and Utah State added the tying goal on a header from a free kick. The Aggies' first goal of the night was another setpiece, coming as a direct result of a corner kick.
Utah State's goals both came from defensive players, as sophomore
Imelda Williams scored the first goal of her career and junior
Mealii Enos recorded her second. Sophomore midfielder
Ashley Cardozo assisted on both goals, tallying 10 overall in her career, which ties for eighth on the USU career record list.
The draw snapped a six-match winning streak for the Aztecs in the series against the Aggies, while the teams also tied in 2010. Friday marked just the second time in the teams' eight meetings that Utah State has scored multiple goals against San Diego State, and the first time the team has done so since 2013.
Utah State now sits with a 2-9-1 overall record, going 1-3-1 in Mountain West play. San Diego State moves to 4-8-2 on the year and 2-1-2 against conference opponents.
The Aggies and Aztecs battled through the first half, with each team creating several opportunities, but failing to capitalize on any of the chances. Freshman forward
Sara Noel led the USU offense through the first 45 minutes, taking three of the team's four first-half shots. Each team finished the half with two shots on goal.
San Diego State came out strong in the early minutes of the second half, taking three quick shots and earning a pair of corner kicks. The Aggie defense remained tight, however, thwarting any chance the Aztecs had. SDSU continued to keep the ball in its attacking third, tacking on another pair of shots while drawing a handball off the Aggies in the penalty box. Mia Root took the penalty kick for the Aztecs, sneaking the ball past USU keeper
Grace McGuire to take the lead in the 60th minute.
The Aggie defense continued to push the limits, where freshman defender
Kelsey Salvesen was shown a yellow card in the 64th minute. The Aztecs doubled their shot total of the game midway through the second half, but McGuire was able to make the necessary stops. Utah State was able to move the ball back to its attacking third, earning its second corner kick of the half in the 72nd minute. Cardozo took the kick, where she found Williams in the box who got the ball into the net.
The Aztecs were quick to respond, moving the ball back to their attacking third. There, they were able to again draw a handball off the Aggies in the penalty box. The second PK of the night put San Diego State back in the lead in the 77th minute. However, Utah State did not let that lead last, as Enos was able to score on a header off a free kick from Cardozo in the 80th minute. The Aggies controlled the final minutes of regulation, but the match headed to extra time.
Through the extra 20 minutes of play, Utah State controlled much of the offense, out-shooting the Aztecs, 4-2. Each team had one shot on goal, but could not find the back of the net to end the match with the win.
Overall, San Diego State out-shot the Aggies, 20-17, including a 10-6 on-goal advantage. McGuire played the full match in the net for Utah State, tying her career high with eight saves.
Utah State will stay on the road, closing the weekend in a match at New Mexico on Sunday, Oct. 7, at 1 p.m.
Fans can follow Utah State soccer on Twitter, @USUSoccer, on Instagram, @USUSoccer, as well as on Facebook, at /USUSoccer. Aggie fans can also follow Utah State Athletics on Twitter, @USUAthletics, on Instagram, @USUAthletics and on Facebook at /USUAthletics.
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