LOGAN, Utah – After leading Utah State soccer to one of its most successful seasons in program history in 2023, the team's coaching staff, led by head coach Manny Martins, has been recognized as the United Soccer Coaches NCAA Pacific Region Coaching Staff of the Year.
 
This is the first time in team history a USU staff has earned the honor. Martins is joined on staff by assistant coaches Michele Dalton, Erin Carrillo-Bautista and Ashley Cardozo. Martins was also named the Mountain West Coach of the Year in early November, just the second coach in program history to earn conference coach of the year honors. 
 
This coaching staff led Utah State to a historic season, highlighted by a Mountain West championship and the team's third-ever appearance in the NCAA Tournament. The Aggies put together a 14-8-1 campaign with a 9-2 record in league play, the most conference wins and second-most total victories in program history. 
 
Utah State relied on suffocating defense this season, boasting the league's top defensive unit which allowed just 0.78 goals per contest and posted 10 total shutouts. The team held 19 of its 23 opponents to a goal or less, and in 13 games against MW opponents, allowed just six goals. USU also showcased offensive versatility as 13 different players scored goals while 12 different players recorded at least one assist on the year. 
 
The Aggies took down No. 1 BYU 1-0 on Sept. 16, just the second time in school history that any USU program has beaten a top-ranked team.
 
The staff will now be placed on the United Soccer Coaches National Staff of the Year ballot. Voting will begin in early December, and the honor will be presented on Thursday, Jan. 11, at a ceremony in Anaheim, California. 
 
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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