LOGAN, Utah - In front of a plethora of Utah State soccer alumni on Sunday, the Aggies controlled the match near wire-to-wire en route to a 2-0 win over Air Force at Chuck & Gloria Bell Field.
"I thought it was a good performance in all phases," head coach
Manny Martins said. "We transitioned well. (Air Force) didn't have a lot of chances. We scored a couple of really good goals that came right from our scouting report… Really proud of the performance because all phases of the game were taken care of today."
After having their eight-match home unbeaten streak snapped in their last match, Utah State began Sunday's match determined to begin a new streak. The Aggies pressed hard for possession in the game's early moments and were rewarded with the opening goal in the 17th minute. Senior
Sara Taylor pushed the ball down the left flank of the Air Force defense and sent a cross into the penalty area. After a slight touch from senior
Sammie Murdock, the ball came to the feet of sophomore
Bizzy Arevalo at the far post who placed it into the bottom corner for her first goal of the season.
"(
Sara Taylor) crossed a beautiful ball in," Arevalo said. "Sammie was there and it slipped through her. If her run wasn't there, I don't think I would've been open there on the far post. I just finished it in. It was really easy."
The goal proved to be enough as senior
Diera Walton and the Aggie backline preserved the team's fifth clean sheet of the season. Walton had two saves while recording her 19th career shutout. USU's midfield was particularly active in defense as well, with two-thirds of Utah State's possession during the match coming on AF's half of the field.
"I think that we just showed up and wanted to play the way we've wanted to," Arevalo said. "We've kind of been lacking energy these last couple of games. We all collectively really wanted a win today."
Utah State gained an insurance goal in the 55th minute as junior
London Miller received a pass from Murdock several yards beyond the 18-yard box. Miller launched a shot into the far upper-right corner for her team-leading fourth goal of the year. With a 2-0 lead, the Aggies leaned on their defense for the remaining 35 minutes of gameplay to secure the conference victory.
"The past few days, we had a reset," Miller said. "We came together and played for each other. I think that's ultimately how we came out on top. We fought for every single ball, finished our chances and stuck to the game plan for a full 90 minutes."
For the seventh match in a row, Utah State outnumbered its opponent in both total shots and shots on goal. The Aggies posted 14 total shots to the Falcons' nine, while USU also maintained a 7-2 advantage in shots on goal.
The 2012 Utah State soccer team was honored during halftime of the match. That year, the Aggies won the WAC Championship, the second of two consecutive conference titles by the team. Members of the championship team and other Aggie alumni were honored alongside deputy athletics director
Jerry Bovee and executive associate athletic director
Amy Crosbie.
"They've done the things that we're trying to do," Martins said. "There's a little bit of pressure but also a little excitement to play in front of them. We were fortunate to have a couple of them come speak to the team yesterday and today and if I'm honest, I think they helped inspire today's performance."
With the victory, the Aggies keep pace in a crowded leaderboard in the conference standings. At 3-2-1 in conference play, USU sits in a tie for second place alongside Boise State. The Aggies trail the conference leader, San Diego State, by three points.
"It's important for us to carry on the legacy," Miller said. "We want to get to the tournament and become tournament champions just like (the 2012 team). We really look up to them and we just want to continue the legacy."
Utah State (6-4-5, 3-2-1 MW) will look to continue its momentum on the road at San José State on Thursday, Oct. 13, at 8 p.m. (MT).
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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