BACK IN ACTION
Utah State soccer (12-1-3, 3-1-2 MW) continues Mountain West play this week as it returns home to host a pair of contests at Chuck and Gloria Bell Field. The Aggies will first take on Colorado College on Thursday, Oct. 17, at 4 p.m., before facing Air Force on Sunday, Oct. 20, at noon. 
 
FOLLOW ALONG
Both of this week's matches can be streamed for free on the Mountain West Network. Fans can also follow along with statistics via Statbroadcast, with stream and stat links available at www.utahstateaggies.com. 
 
WELCOME TO BELL
• In the past four years under Manny Martins, Utah State holds a 27-5-5 home record at Chuck and Gloria Bell Field. During those games, the Aggies have out-scored opponents by a combined 73-28.
• Dating back to 2022, 12 of the past 20 USU opponents at Bell Field have been shut out.
• All-time, Utah State is 122-49-29 at home.  
 
MANNY MARTINS MAGIC
• Utah State head coach Manny Martins, the 2023 Mountain West Coach of the Year, has built the Aggies into a powerhouse during his four years in Logan. As the head coach at USU, he has a 47-20-15 (.665) record, including a 22-10-7 (.654) mark in conference games. In the three years prior to his arrival, the team won just 16 total games. 
• Martins' career winning percentage of .665 ranks second-best in Mountain West Conference history, behind only BYU's Jennifer Rockwood's .739 from 1999-2010.
 
AGGIE DOMINATION
Along with a stellar 12-1-3 record this year, the Aggies have been one of the most dominant teams in the country. USU has out-scored opponents by a combined score of 43-11 with nine shutouts. This ranks as the fourth-best scoring differential in the nation. 
 
SHUT 'EM DOWN
• While allowing just 11 total goals this season, the Aggie defense has posted nine shutouts. Going back to last season, USU has held 17 of its past 28 opponents scoreless. 
• Going back to the 2022 season, 18 of the past 31 games against Mountain West opponents have been shutouts as well. 
 
AGGIE IRONWOMAN
With the 89th appearance of her career coming against New Mexico on Oct. 6, graduate defender Kylie Olsen became the most tenured Aggie of all time, breaking the program record for appearances in a career. The previous record was held by Kami Warner, who played 88 matches from 2017-21. Olsen has now played 91 games, while graduate defender Alysia Butters now ranks second all-time with 88 games played. 
 
REWRITING THE RECORD BOOKS
• With plenty of games left to play, this year's Aggie squad has already etched its name in the record books in several different categories. 
• 1st all-time with 43 goals (previous record was 40 in 2007)
• 1st all-time with 42 assists (previous record was 34 in 2021 and 2007)
• 1st all-time with 128 points (previous record was 114 in 2007)
• 3rd all-time with a 0.69 GAA (record is 0.55 in 2012)
• T-7th all-time with 9 shutouts (record is 11 in 2011 and 2013)
 
CAN'T SCORE ON CORA
• Utah State graduate keeper Cora Brendle joined Utah State as a grad transfer after four extremely successful years at USC Upstate, and she is now making a legacy at USU as well. 
• After missing a few games early with an injury, Brendle has now made 11 appearances and nine starts with just six goals allowed. Her 0.600 GAA ranks 28th in the nation and first in the Mountain West. 
 
IN THE POLLS
• After having never receiving a vote in the United Soccer Coaches Poll prior to the season, the Aggies spent seven-straight weeks ranked earlier this year. This week, Utah State fell just outside of the top 25, receiving 15 votes as the third team out. 
• USU's ranking of No. 7 on Sept. 17 was tied for the highest a USU team in any sport has ever been ranked, equaling the men's basketball team's No. 7 ranking in 1960. This is also the third-highest ranking ever by a Mountain West soccer team, and the highest since 2012. 
 • In the NCAA women's soccer RPI rankings, Utah State ranks No. 23 this week. Two other Mountain West teams (Boise State and Colorado State) are in the top 100.  
 
SPREADING THE WEALTH
• One major key to Utah State's high-powered offense is the number of players who can score. USU currently leads the nation with 18 different players recording goals this year. 11 different players have scored at least twice and seven players have scored at least three times this year.
• Against San José State in what was just the 11th game of the season, Utah State set a new program record for most assists in a season with its 35th helper of the year.
• 17 USU players have recorded assists this year, as the team has totaled 42. 
 
MEET THE CHALLENGE
According to Massey Ratings, Utah State played the 23rd toughest non-conference schedule in the nation this year, making it through that stretch without a loss. The non-conference slate this year included seven games away from home, four games against 2023 NCAA Tournament teams, four games against in-state opponents and three games against Big 12 foes. 
 
BY THE NUMBERS
As a team, Utah State ranks nationally in the top 20 in several major statistical categories, including: winning percentage (9th - .844), goal differential (4th, +32), points per game (9th - 8.00), scoring offense (9th - 2.69), assists per game (13th - 2.63), and shots on goal per game (16th - 8.75).
 
SHOTS, SHOTS, SHOTS
Through 16 games, Utah State is out-shooting its opponents by a combined 286-137, with a 140-47 advantage in shots on goal. USU has had as many or more shots than its opponent in 14 of 16 contests this year. 
 
LAST TIME OUT
Utah State posted an 0-1-1 week on the road against Mountain West opponents last week, falling at Wyoming before posting a 1-1 draw against Colorado State. Against the Cowgirls, USU was tasked with playing from behind early after a 14th minute handball in the box set up a PK goal for Wyoming. USU out-shot the Cowgirls 11-9, but fell for the first time this season. Against the Rams, USU dominated in shots with a 16-5 advantage, but a goal for each side in the first half was the only scoring action of the day. USU's goal was scored by junior forward Tess Werts in the 19th minute. 
 
AGGIES VS TIGERS
Thursday's contest will be the 15th all-time between Utah State and Colorado College, with the Aggies trailing in the series 4-5-5. USU won the most recent outing between the sides last season in Colorado Springs, taking the lead on a 75th minute game-winner from Tenzi Knowles. In Logan, Utah State is 5-1-0 against Colorado College.
 
AGGIES VS FALCONS
Sunday's contest will be the 16th all-time meeting between Utah State and Air Force. The Aggies hold an 8-4-3 series advantage, but fell to the Falcons 1-0 in the lone meeting between the sides last season in Colorado Springs. In Logan, Utah State is 4-1-1 against the Falcons.     
 
UP NEXT
Utah State will head out on its final road trip of the regular season, traveling to the state of Nevada. The Aggies first take on UNLV on Thursday, Oct. 24, at 8 p.m. (MT), before playing at Nevada on Sunday, Oct. 27, at 2 p.m. (MT).