BOISE, Idaho — No. 17 Utah State soccer (11-2-2, 4-0-0 Pac-12) picked up three crucial points on the road Sunday afternoon at Boas Soccer Complex in Boise, moving into sole possession of first place in the Pac-12 standings with a 1-0 win over Boise State in a battle between the league's only two remaining unbeaten squads.
The Aggies snapped both the nation's longest winning streak and the longest home unbeaten streak in Boise State program history, putting an end to a nine-game winning streak and a 14-game home unbeaten streak by the Broncos.
It was an early penalty kick for USU that made the difference in this one. The Aggies scored the lone goal of the contest in the 24th minute when a hard foul in the box committed against Boise native sophomore forward Kunie Hirai sent USU to the penalty spot. Junior midfielder Rachel Reitz was selected to take the PK for the Aggies, who put it into the bottom right corner of the net while the keeper dove the opposite way. This was the second goal of the campaign for Reitz.
The Utah State defense dealt the Broncos just their third shutout of the season, while this was the ninth by USU, including its third-straight. Now, four games into conference play, the Aggies have outscored their four opponents by a combined 8-1.
While Boise State entered the day ranking 12th in the nation in goals scored (33) and second in the country in shots on goal per game (9.62), it finished scoreless with just three shots on goal, its fewest of the season. The Broncos didn't generate a single shot on frame until the 47th minute.
Utah State tallied 11 shots in the contest, seven of which came in the first half. Sophomore forward Samantha Sellers, sophomore midfielder Mia Lopez and junior midfielder Austin Miller each led the squad with two shots apiece.
In net, sophomore keeper Ivy Nystrom played all 90 minutes for Utah State, finishing with two saves to earn the clean sheet. This was Nystrom's eighth shutout of the year. She is now tied for the fifth-most shutouts in a season in program history.
SCORING SUMMARY
23:36 - Rachel Reitz (USU)
Penalty Kick Goal
UP NEXT
Utah State (11-2-2, 4-0-0 Pac-12) will return home for a single contest next week at Chuck & Gloria Bell Field, hosting Fresno State on Saturday, Oct. 17, at 7:30 p.m. The match will be streamed free on the Pac-12's YouTube page.
TICKETS
Fans can purchase single game tickets for remaining home games here. 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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