BACK IN ACTION
Utah State soccer (1-3-0, 0-0-0 MW) returns home to face a pair of Summit League teams from the Mount Rushmore State, first hosting South Dakota State (4-0, 0-0 Summit) on Friday, Sept. 1, at 5 p.m., at Chuck and Gloria Bell Field, before facing South Dakota (1-1-2, 0-0 Summit) on Sunday, Sept. 3, at 1 p.m. (MT).
FOLLOW ALONG
Fans can follow along with both matches via live stats online at www.utahstateaggies.com. Both matches will be streamed for free on Mountain West Network, available at www.utahstateaggies.com/watch.
Series History
• Utah State and South Dakota State have met up three times previously, with the Aggies holding a 2-1 advantage in the series. The most recent meeting came in 2019 in Brookings, a 1-0 win for the Jackrabbits.
• Sunday's match will be just the second all-time meeting between USU and South Dakota, the previous being a 1-0 road win for the Aggies in 2019.
Scouting the Jackrabbits
• South Dakota State enters Friday's contest with an unblemished 4-0 record, having earned wins over Manitoba, Augustana, Drake and Iowa State. The Jackrabbits have been led in scoring this season by senior forward Maya Hansen, who has five goals on the year.
•In 2022, SDSU posted a 13-1-5 overall record, going 7-0-2 in conference play to finish second in the Summit League.
Scouting the Coyotes
• South Dakota is off to a 1-1-2 start to its 2023 campaign, with a win over Morningside, draws to Wyoming and Southern Utah, and a loss to Utah Tech. The Coyotes have been led in scoring this season by fifth year forward Shaylee Gailus, who has three goals on the year.
•In 2022, South Dakota posted a 4-9-5 overall record, going 3-4-2 in conference play to finish sixth in the Summit League.
Making History
• Utah State graduate goalie Diera Walton continues to etch her name in the program record books. Against Utah last week, Walton became the program's all-time saves leader with her 274th career save. She also recently took over the top spot on the program's goalie minutes played list, and has now logged nearly 6,000 minutes in net.
• Additionally, Walton now sits just one shutout shy of tying Ali Griffin's career record of 22.
Welcome Home
Utah State welcomed sophomore defender Addi Coon back to the roster this week, who returned home from an 18-month Latter-day Saint mission to San Antonio, Texas. In 2021 as a true freshman, Coon played 17 matches with 11 starts, totaling 831 minutes on the pitch.
In The Polls
Utah State was picked fifth in the preseason Mountain West coaches poll for the second-straight season. In the Summit League preseason poll, South Dakota State was picked second while receiving three first-place votes, and South Dakota was tabbed to finish sixth.
Representing the Beehive State
This year's USU squad includes 23 players from the state of Utah, or 72 percent (23-of-32) of the roster. This puts the Aggies tied with BYU for most players from the Beehive State.
Home Field Advantage
Chuck and Gloria Bell Field has been one of the Mountain West's most consistent home field advantages in recent years. Under coach Manny Martins, the Aggies have lost just five home games, posting a 15-5-4 record.
A Historic Opener
Utah State opened the 2023 campaign on a strong note on Aug. 17, defeating Weber State 5-1. This was the team's first opening-day win since 2017, and was the most goals ever scored in a season-opener by a USU team.
Freshman Firepower
• Utah State has relied early this season on contributions from newcomers, as five freshmen have already logged time in at least three matches for the Aggies.
• Three of USU's five goals this year have come from freshmen, including two from Summer Diamond and one from forward Abby Schofield.
Early Coaching Success
• Coach Martins' 21 combined victories in 2021 and 2022 were the most in the first two seasons by any head coach in USU soccer history.
