SPOKANE, Wash. — No. 19 Utah State soccer (11-3-3, 4-1-1 Pac-12) suffered its first loss of Pac-12 Conference play Sunday afternoon at Luger Field in Spokane, falling to Gonzaga 3-1 to snap a nine-match unbeaten streak.
In what was just the third overall loss of the season for USU and its first since Sept. 6, the Aggies surrendered a season-high three goals. Despite the loss, Utah State remains atop the Pac-12 standings as it heads into the final two games of the regular season.
The hosts took control early when a defensive lapse on the Aggie back line set the Bulldogs up with a one-on-one opportunity against the keeper in the 18th minute, which Gonzaga converted into a goal, the first goal allowed by the USU defense in 414 combined minutes of action. The Zags would double their lead in the 39th minute to take a 2-0 advantage, matching USU's largest deficit of the season.
Utah State countered quickly, cutting the deficit in half just two minutes later in the 41st minute, when a shot from senior forward Kate Christian was deflected by a Bulldog defender, but senior forward Solena Sellers was there to clean it up as she delivered her fourth goal of the year into the back of the net to make it 2-1.
That score would hold into the half, as all three of the first half's shots on frame resulted in goals.
Gonzaga extended its lead in the 75th minute when a header off the left post found the foot of another Bulldog, who buried what was the team's first shot on goal of the half to make it 3-1.
In total, Utah State tallied 20 shots while allowing nine. This included a 6-5 final tally in shots on goal.
SCORING SUMMARY
17:02 - Sophia Schlicklin (GU)
Assist: Makayla Werner
38:33 - Kalia Franklin (GU)
Assist: Shila Rasoul
40:58 - Solena Sellers (USU)
Assist: Kate Christian
74:19 - Samantha Snorsky (GU)
Assist: Shila Rasoul
UP NEXT
Utah State (11-3-3, 4-1-1 Pac-12) will play its final road contest of the regular season next week as it travels to Corvallis, Ore., to take on Oregon State on Friday, Oct. 30, at 7 p.m. (MT).
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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