LOGAN, Utah - Utah State soccer (3-0, 0-0 MW) defeated reigning Big 12 regular season champions Texas Tech 2-0 in its home opener Sunday afternoon at Chuck and Gloria Bell Field to improve to 3-0 while posting its third-straight shutout to open the 2024 campaign.
In what was her first start as an Aggie, freshman forward/midfielder
Austin Miller netted the first goal of her collegiate career in the 15th minute to give Utah State the early advantage. Miller received a cross from junior midfielder
Kaylie Chambers inside of the box before firing a left-footed strike which deflected off the foot of a Red Raider defender and into the back of the net.
The Aggies followed with another goal shortly after, striking again in the 27th minute. Senior forward
Bizzy Arevalo blocked a clearance by a Texas Tech defender, which deflected to the feet of junior forward
Tess Werts at the top of the box. Werts delivered a right-footer into the top of the net to make it 2-0.
SCORING SUMMARY
14:55 -
Austin Miller (USU)
Assist:
Kaylie Chambers
26:30 -
Tess Werts (USU)
Assist:
Bizzy Arevalo
HEAD COACH MANNY MARTINS ON THE PERFORMANCE
"I'm really proud of our team. We're three games in with three shutouts. Two of the team's we've played were NCAA Tournament teams last year and this was a Sweet Sixteen team. They threw everything at us and we were able to sustain it, so I'm really, really proud."
MATCH NOTES
- With the win, Utah State improves to 3-0 for the first time since 2013. This is also the team's first time opening the year with three-straight shutouts since 2013.
- Utah State has now outscored its opponents by a combined 9-0 this season.
- Austin Miller made the first start of her career, playing 39 minutes in the contest. Her goal was the first of her career.
- Tess Werts' goal was her third of the season and the seventh of her career.
- Utah State recorded 12 shots to Texas Tech's 15, but had seven shots on frame to six.
- 10 different USU players recorded shots, led by three from Werts, all three of which were on frame.
- Sophomore Shay Kercher-Pratt played all 90 minutes in goal in the second start of her career, recording six saves in the contest.
- Other Aggies to play all 90 minutes included graduate defenders Kylie Olsen and Alysia Butters, senior defender Addy Weichers, and senior midfielder Kaitlyn Richins.
- With the win, Utah State is now 4-0 in home openers under Manny Martins and 20-9 all-time in home openers with wins in 15 of the past 17.
- Utah State has now gone over a year without a home loss, currently on a 10-match unbeaten streak at Bell Field with its last loss coming on Aug. 24, 2023.
- With the win, Utah State improves to 2-1 all-time against Texas Tech.
- With the win, Utah State is now 10-43-1 all-time against current Big 12 schools.
UP NEXT
Utah State (3-0, 0-0 MW) will play three-straight in-state opponents on the road, beginning on Wednesday, Aug. 28, when the team travels to Salt Lake City to take on Utah at 7 p.m.
TICKETS
Fans can purchase season tickets now
here. Adult season tickets are available for $45, while youth can gain access to all games by joining the Junior Aggie Kids Club for $25. All seating at Chuck and Gloria Bell Field is general admission. Seating in the stadium bleachers is first come, first served. Fans are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets for grass and berm seating.
FOLLOW
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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