BACK IN ACTION
Utah State soccer (4-5-4, 1-1-2 MW) returns home to Chuck & Gloria Bell Field for a single Mountain West game this week as the Aggies host Fresno State on Thursday, Oct. 9. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
FOLLOW ALONG
Thursday's match against will be streamed for free on Mountain West Network. Fans can also follow along via StatBroadcast, with stream and stat links available on the team's schedule page at www.utahstateaggies.com.
SHOOT YOUR SHOT
• Utah State has taken as many or more shots than its opponent in 11 of 13 games this season. On the year, the team has a 173-101 shots advantage including a 72-40 advantage in shots on goal.
• The Aggies have limited 10 opponents to less than 10 shots and have not let a single opponent take more than five shots on goal.
OFFENSIVE EXPLOSION
In Utah State's game against Wyoming on Sept. 28, the Aggie offense had its best performance of the season with a three-goal showing. USU scored less than a minute into the match to set the tone, then tacked on goals in the 36th and 53rd minutes. Prior to this match, Wyoming had allowed just six combined goals through 10 games.
MAKING THINGS HAPPEN
Senior forward Tess Werts has taken over the role of lead facilitator for Utah State this season, assisting on five goals, ranking second in the Mountain West in assists. Her five assists have all come in the past eight games, including a two-assist performance against Wyoming.
FRESHMAN FIREPOWER
Freshman midfield/forward Hadli Barrera scored the first two goals of her college career in back-to-back games against Utah Valley and Portland. Barrera scored in the 77th minute to help secure the win against Utah Valley, then netted a 54th minute equalizer against Portland.
MOVING UP THE LEADERBOARD
• The senior forward duo of Kaylie Chambers and Tess Werts continue to move up the Utah State career leaderboards this season.
• Werts is up to 19 career assists, tied for second in program history. Chambers is right behind with 18 helpers, tied for fourth.
• Chambers has 46 points in her career, ninth-most in USU history, while Werts ranks closely behind in 10th with 43 career points.
SCOUTING THE BULLDOGS
• Fresno State enters the week 4-3-5 overall, tied with USU in the league standings with a 1-1-2 mark in Mountain West play. In four games against MW teams, Fresno State has defeated Nevada, lost to UNLV, and drawn with San Diego State and New Mexico.
• The Bulldogs have scored 20 goals this year while surrendering 10 through 12 games. Senior midfield/forward Alexis Campbell leads the squad this season with 13 points coming on team-bests of five goals and three assists.
AGGIES VS BULLDOGS
• Thursday's contest will be the 24th all-time meeting between Utah State and Fresno State. The Aggies series is currently even at 9-9-5, though USU is unbeaten in the past three meetings and is 6-2-2 in the past 10.
• USU and Fresno State met last season in Fresno, a scoreless draw between the sides. USU out-shot the Bulldogs 13-6 in the contest, but neither side found the back of the net.
• Utah State is 5-2-2 all-time in Logan against Fresno State.
ICYMI
• Utah State picked up a point on the road and a shutout in its last performance, playing Colorado College to a scoreless draw on Sunday in Colorado Springs.
• The Aggies out-shot the Tigers 13-9, including a 9-4 advantage in the second half, but were held off the board. Sophomore forward Austin Miller led USU in shots with three, while Colorado College was limited ot just two shots on frame.
YOUTH MOVEMENT
• While the Aggies returned 10 letterwinners from last year's squad, Utah State brought back just four starters and has relied on several young players in elevated roles this season. 11 of the team's top 18 players in terms of minutes played, including each of the top three, are underclassmen.
• On the defensive backline, true freshmen Capriel Winder and Summer Sofonia have started all 13 matches.
WELCOME TO BELL
• In the past four years under Manny Martins, Utah State holds a 33-5-9 home record at Chuck and Gloria Bell Field. During those games, the Aggies have out-scored opponents by a combined 94-31.
• Dating back to 2022, 19 of the past 30 USU opponents at Bell Field have been shut out.
• Last season, USU went 7-0-2 at home and out-scored opponents by a combined 29-4.
• All-time, Utah State is 128-49-33 at home.
UP NEXT
Utah State will continue Mountain West play with a pair of road games next week when the Aggies travel to New Mexico on Thursday, Oct. 16, at 7 p.m. (MT) and San Diego State on Sunday, Oct. 19, at 2 p.m. (MT).
