LOGAN, Utah — The Utah State soccer team (1-2, 0-0 MWC) wrapped up a three-game homestand with a loss Thursday evening at Chuck and Gloria Bell Field, dropping a 1-0 decision to Utah.
"I'm really proud of the performance of our girls, they created some good chances," said Utah State head coach Manny Martins. "Utah did a pretty good job of diffusing some of those chances, but our girls kept their heads up, they battled, and I couldn't be more proud of their performance. Their performance deserved more than what we got today."
The Aggies started strong with a shot on frame in the second minute by sophomore midfielder Kaitlyn Richins, but Utah keeper Kasey Wardle was able to get her fingertips on the ball to push it over the bar. The teams exchanged opportunities throughout the remainder of the match, each side totaling four shots on frame in the contest.
It took 80 minutes of scoreless back-and-forth action before either team was able to gain an advantage in the scoring column, when Utah's Taliana Kaufusi capitalized on a transition opportunity to find the back of the net.
Seven different Aggie players recorded shots in the contest, including two apiece off the bench from freshman midfielder Summer Diamond and graduate forward Nicole Hadlock-Hardy.
Graduate keeper Diera Walton played all 90 minutes in net for the Aggies, registering three saves while facing four shots. Her save in the 48th minute was the 274th of her career, placing her atop Utah State's all-time career saves leaderboard. She passed Molli Merrill (2005-08) to take control of the record.
Utah State now travels to Lubbock, Texas, for its first road contest of the season on Sunday, Aug. 27, when the Aggies face Texas Tech at 6 p.m. (CT). The match will be streamed on ESPN+, with stream and stat links available on utahstateaggies.com.
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.
