POCATELLO, Idaho - Utah State had its chances. A goal by senior forward Jordan Foraker called back in the 99th minute and a free kick by senior midfielder Ashley Cardozo plucked from the mouth of the goal in the 103rd minute reflected how close the Aggies came to picking up a season-opening win at Idaho State on Thursday night.
Utah State recorded 23 shots to the Bengals' 14, including a 9-3 advantage in the overtime periods. The Aggies also had an 11-7 advantage on corners as USU's shots narrowly missed the goal throughout the night.
USU freshmen Tenzi Knowles and Addi Coon, along with redshirt freshman Addy Symonds, made their Aggie debuts in the starting XI as the game began. Cardozo put the first Utah State shot on frame in the 13th minute and three minutes later served a ball into the 18 to junior forward Sara Taylor, but the volley attempt went over the goal. USU finished the first 45 minutes with five shots to the Bengals' two.
Utah State's starting keeper Diera Walton didn't face her first challenge from the Bengals until the 49th minute in the second half, recording the first of six saves during the night. USU sophomore midfielder Whitney Lopez found the ball at her feet inside the 18 in the 73rd minute, but her shot attempt powered over the top of the cross bar. Utah State used a much more methodical pace in the second half as Idaho State was able to match the Aggies with nine shots apiece.
Sophomore midfielder Alex Day, making her debut for Utah State, came close to tucking in the golden goal just seconds into the first overtime period. Day found the ball at her feet outside the 6-yard box, but her attempt went just wide as it crossed the face of goal. USU freshman Bizzy Arevalo took advantage of Idaho State's keeper mishandling the ball in the 97th minute, but her attempt to the near post also went wide. Foraker's goal in the waning minutes of the first overtime was then called back when the referees ruled Taylor had crossed the end line before crossing the ball.
Cardozo's free kick in the opening minutes of the second overtime tested ISU's keeper and Utah State's bench even rushed onto the field thinking the ball had made its way into the goal. However, the attempt was pulled away on a diving save and controlled by the Bengal goalkeeper. Not to be outdone, Walton made a clean sheet-clenching save in the 109th minute as she came off her line to clear a ball. Idaho State retained possession and Walton was able to make a save at full extension after an ambitious shot from distance by the Bengals.
The draw marked just the second time that the two teams have played out to a tie, with the series moving to 11-6-2 in the Aggies' favor. Utah State played 23 players during the match as six different student-athletes made their Utah State debuts. Sophomore defender Kelsey Steed-Kaufusi and Walton were the only Aggies to play the entire 110 minutes of the match.
Taylor led all players on the pitch with five shots, while Cardozo was close behind with four shots, including three on goal.
Utah State is back in action on Saturday, hosting Northern Arizona in its 2021 home opener at 3 p.m.
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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