LOGAN, Utah - Utah State soccer posted a 2-1 victory over Northern Arizona in its 2021 home opener on Saturday as senior midfielder Ashley Cardozo and senior defender Imelda Williams scored in the Aggies' win.
"The credit goes to (the players)," head coach Manny Martins said after the match. "When you watch the game, the girls worked so hard. It was a collective effort. Once again, we played (24) players and I couldn't be more proud."
Utah State didn't have to wait long to put the first lights on the scoreboard as Cardozo collected a cross from junior wing Sara Taylor in the 2nd minute. Although the ball took a slight deflection off the NAU keeper's hands, Cardozo was able to blast the ball into the back of the net on just the Aggies' first shot of the game. Utah State peppered the Lumberjack goal throughout the match, totaling 17 shots with 12 on frame, while NAU finished with 12 shots with eight on frame.
Northern Arizona, the 2021 Big Sky favorite in the league's preseason poll, equalized in the 20th minute when USU keeper
Diera Walton made an initial save on a shot by NAU's Madison Montgemery, but was unable to control the rebound. NAU's Sam Larberg saw the chance and crashed into the box to put the ball into the back of the net and tied the score at 1-1.
Utah State then made the most of a rebound on the other side of the pitch a little over a minute later when freshman midfielder Tenzi Knowles' shot was saved off the line by an NAU defender, leaving the ball at the feet of freshman wing Bizzy Arevalo. Arevalo's shot was again blocked by the NAU defense, but the ball then dropped to the feet of Williams, who drilled the ball into the top corner of the net for the eventual game-winner.
Williams led a group of five Aggies that all tied for the team lead with two shots each. Cardozo and Knowles led the group with each of their two shots on goal. NAU relied on Montgemery and Larberg, who combined for 10 of NAU's 12 shots during the match. Walton finished with six saves for the Aggies, while the Lumberjacks used a pair of keepers in Trinity Corcoran and Natalie Manzo. Corcoran started the match finished with three saves before being subbed at the half. Manzo finished the match in goal and logged six saves over the final 45 minutes.
For the second-straight match, Utah State went deep into its bench during the match as 24 players saw action on the pitch. Freshman defender Emma Becerra made her Aggie debut during the match, playing in 65 minutes.
Utah State returns to the pitch on Thursday, Aug. 26, hosting Northern Colorado at Chuck & Gloria Bell field at 5 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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