LOGAN, Utah - Utah State soccer had a trio of Aggies earn conference accolades on Tuesday, as the Mountain West announced first-team, second-team and all-newcomer honors for the 2021 season.
Senior midfielder Ashley Cardozo was named first-team all-Mountain West, marking the fourth all-conference honor during her career and second first-team selection. Cardozo leads the MW this season in assists and ranks second in the league in points with 25, behind seven goals and 11 assists. The 11 assists are tied for the most in a single season in USU history, rank just outside the top-five in Mountain West history and put her 11th in the nation.
Junior keeper Diera Walton was named second-team all-Mountain West after leading the league in goals-against average (.813), total saves (97) and total shutouts (7) during the year. The all-conference honors marked Walton's first of her career after being named to the MW all-newcomer team as a freshman in 2019. Walton ranks second all-time in a single season in USU history with her 97 saves, and is tied for fourth in both categories with her 0.81 GAA and seven shutouts on the year. Walton has spent more than 1,991 minutes in goal for the Aggies this year, setting the all-time single-season mark in USU history.
Redshirt-freshman defender Addy Symonds rounded out Utah State's honors, as she was named to the 2021 MW all-newcomer team. Symonds appeared and started in each of the Aggies' matches this season, and ranks third on the team in total minutes with 1,843. Along with 2020 MW all-newcomer selection Kelsey Steed-Kaufusi at center back, the duo has anchored the Utah State backline that leads the MW with the fewest goals allowed this season.
Utah State continues its run in the MW Tournament on Thursday, facing top-seeded New Mexico at 11 a.m., in Boise, Idaho. The Aggies, the No. 4 seed in the tournament, dispatched Colorado State, 1-0, in the quarterfinals on Monday to secure their spot.
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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