LOGAN, Utah - Utah State junior keeper Diera Walton made a game-saving 1v1 stop in the 92nd minute of overtime and then the Aggies were able to attack in transition as senior midfielder Ashley Cardozo played a long ball to a streaking Sara Taylor. The junior forward took a touch to her left foot and powered the ball past the San José State keeper in the 94th minute to notch the golden goal and give the Aggies a 1-0 home victory at Chuck & Gloria Bell Field on Sunday afternoon.
Taylor was a relentless attacker throughout the match, leading the Aggies with eight shots, including four on frame, as Utah State finished with 22 shots to the Spartans' 13. The 22 shots are the second-most by the Aggies this season as Utah State peppered the SJSU goal throughout the entire afternoon.
Freshman forward Bizzy Arevalo, starting in the middle of Utah State's attacking front for the first time this season, logged four shots, with one on goal, and was followed closely by senior midfielder Kami Warner and senior defender Karstyn Peterson with three shots apiece. In goal, Walton finished with eight saves, as San José State (6-8-0, 3-3-0 MW) used a pair of keepers during the match with each logging three saves, respectively.
Utah State (10-4-1, 3-3-0 MW) snapped a three-match losing streak with the result, but more importantly dictated play with its shot difference after trailing opponents in shots in each of the last four contests. The Aggies are an unbeaten 6-0-3 all-time against the Spartans in Logan.
The win also moved first-year head coach Manny Martins into a tie for the most victories by a rookie head coach in Utah State history. Martins could break the record of 10 with a win over the final five matches of the season.
Utah State begins the final stretch of the year on the road in Colorado, facing Air Force on Thursday, Oct. 14, at 6 p.m., followed by a contest at Colorado College on Sunday, Oct. 17, at noon.
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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