PROVO, Utah — Utah State soccer (10-6-7, 5-2-3 MW) saw its season come to a heartbreaking close Friday night at South Field in Provo, playing 5-seed BYU to a 1-1 draw through 110 minutes, but falling 7-6 in an 11-round penalty kick shootout. 

The hosts took an early lead when in the 19th minute, BYU's Mia Goettsche gained control off the deflection of an Aggie defender, then found the top corner of the net with a high-arching shot from the opposite side. 

The Aggies evened things up in the 53rd minute when a ball near the corner was saved just inches from the endline by senior forward Tess Werts, who delivered a perfect ball to the far post to the head of sophomore forward Mia Mullenmeister. Mullenmeister slipped a header into the net just inside the post for an equalizer, evening the match at 1-1. 

The sides remained flush through the remainder of the 90-minute regulation period, so for the third-straight game, Utah State went into overtime. 

The penalty kick shootout began with a save by USU graduate goalkeeper Taylor Rath, who came up big throughout the penalty round, making multiple big stops. The Aggies made their first two shots, but after five rounds, it was even at 3-3. The sides then played six sudden death rounds, trading makes and misses evenly until a miss on USU's 11th shot sent the match final. 

SCORING SUMMARY

18:27 - Mia Goettsche (BYU)

      Assists: Mika Krommenhoek, MacKenzee Vance

52:25 - Mia Mullenmeister (USU)

      Assist: Tess Werts

MATCH NOTES

• With the draw, Utah State is now 0-3-2 all-time in NCAA Tournament games.

• This is the second-straight year Utah State has been eliminated from the NCAA Tournament on a penalty kick shootout. Last season, the Aggies fell 3-1 to Washington after a scoreless draw. 

• Prior to the penalty kick shootout, Utah State recorded six shots on goal to BYU's seven. 

• Tess Werts took a team-high three shots, with one on frame. 

• Mia Mullenmeister's goal was her fifth of the season, and the eighth of her career. 

• Werts' assist was her sixth of the season, and the 20th of her career. 

• Werts concludes her career ranked third in program history with 20 assists.  

• The duo of Taylor Rath and junior goalkeeper Allee Grashoff split time in net for Utah State.

• Grashoff played the first 45 minutes and recorded one save, while Rath came in for the second half, both overtime periods and the penalty kick shootout. She made a season-high five saves in 65 minutes. 

• Four Aggies played all 110 minutes - Summer Sofonia, Rachel Reitz, Kaeda Wilson and Capriel Winder. 

• With the draw, Utah State is now 3-15-2 all-time against BYU, with all three wins and both draws coming in the past five years under head coach Manny Martins. 

• WIth the draw, Utah State is now 2-9-1 all-time against BYU in Provo. 

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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