NORMAL, Ill. - Utah State soccer used a late surge to try and equalize, but three shots with less than eight minutes to play didn't find their mark and the Aggies ended up losing a Friday night tilt at Illinois State, 2-1.

Utah State recorded more shots, 15-10, than the Redbirds, and also logged more corner kicks, 6-2, but came up short during the match to move to 3-3-0 on the year, while Illinois State improved to 3-4-0.

ISU sophomore Logan Ziegler gave the home side a 1-0 lead in the 34th minute, and the Redbirds carried the margin into the half. The Aggies had a 5-4 advantage in shots heading into the break, but the three shots that proved to be on frame were saved by Illinois State keeper Jenny Scara.

Utah State equalized in the 50th minute when junior midfielder Amber Marshall scored her first goal of the season, becoming the eighth Aggie to record a goal during the 2019 campaign. However, Illinois State then scored what proved to be the game winner in the 59th minute when junior Natalie Vaughn-Low put the ball in the back of the net off of an assist from sophomore Sarah Lafayette.

USU continued to battle until the end, recording four corner kicks over the final 15 minutes and logging three shots over the final eight. Junior Imelda Williams made contact on a corner kick, but the attempt was saved in the 82nd minute. Marshall and senior midfielder Kanyan Merrill missed shots with less than five minutes remaining as the shots just missed above and left of the goal in the 86th and 90th minute, respectively.

Utah State will be back in action on Sunday afternoon, facing UIC in Chicago, Ill., at noon (MT).

Fans can follow the Aggie soccer program on Twitter, @USUSoccer, on Facebook at /USUSoccer and on Instagram, @USUSoccer. Aggie fans can also follow the Utah State athletic program on Twitter, @USUAthletics, Facebook at /USUAthletics and on Instagram, @USUAthletics.

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