LOGAN, Utah - Utah State soccer grinded out a 1-0 victory over league-leading and previously-unbeaten New Mexico on Saturday afternoon, posting a 1-0 victory despite playing the final 30 minutes of the contest down a player.
Senior defender Imelda Williams scored the game-winning goal for the Aggies, the fourth of her career, on a Utah State corner kick in the 53rd minute. Junior forward Marli Niederhauser placed the service towards the near post and Williams tucked the ball inside the near post with her head for the only goal of the game.
The Aggies (2-4-0) were down a player five minutes later when freshman midfielder Whitney Lopez was issued a red card and sent off in the 58th minute. It was the first red card issued to a Utah State player since the 2018 season.
Despite the match being 10 v 11, Utah State stood its ground over the final 30 minutes as sophomore keeper Diera Walton stymied the New Mexico attack, totaling a career-high 12 saves, tied for the fifth-most in a single match in Utah State history. The shutout marked Walton's eighth of her career, tied for the sixth-most in school history.
New Mexico (5-1-0) finished the match with 20 shots to Utah State's 16 and six corners to the Aggies' two. USU senior midfielder Ashley Cardozo led the Aggies individually with five shots, including three on frame, with junior forward Jordan Foraker just behind with three shots.
Walton, Cardozo, sophomore defender Kristin Rhees and freshman defender Kelsey Steed each went the full 90 minutes for the Aggies. Steed and Walton have played in every minute for the Aggies this season, totaling more than 542 minutes on the pitch.
Utah State will take its final road trip of the season next week, traveling to Colorado Springs, Colo., for matches against Colorado College on Friday, April 2, and Air Force on Sunday, April 4. The match on Friday is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m., while the match on Sunday will get underway 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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