Courtesy of Utah State Athletics
SAN JOSE, Calif. – No. 10 Utah State soccer (10-0-1, 1-0-0 MW) opened Mountain West play in dominant fashion Thursday evening at the Spartan Soccer Complex, taking down San José State 4-0.
It took just five minutes for the Aggies to take the lead in this one, capitalizing on a penalty kick after a foul was called inside of the box on the Spartan goalkeeper. Freshman forward/midfielder Austin Miller, who drew the call, sent a perfect shot in near the left post to make it 1-0. Not long after, in the seventh minute, sophomore forward Kate Christian delivered a highlight goal as she sent a shot from 30 yards out beyond the diving fingertips of the keeper.
Just before the half in the 43rd minute, the Aggies extended the lead as a corner from senior midfielder Rine Yonaha found junior midfielder Kaitlyn Richins at the far post, who tapped in the third goal of the night for USU.
The final goal of the night came in the 77th minute at the foot of sophomore forward Solena Sellers. A throw-in from sophomore defender Kayla Sato met Sellers near the corner of the 18-yard box, who then chipped a high-arching shot into the top left corner of the net.
SCORING SUMMARY:
5:05 – Austin Miller (USU)
Penalty Kick Goal
6:49 – Kate Christian (USU)
Assist: None
42:07 – Kaitlyn Richins (USU)
Assist: Rine Yonaha
76:29 – Solena Sellers (USU)
Assists: Kayla Sato
MATCH NOTES
- With the win, the Aggies remain unbeaten and improve to 10-0-1 on the year.
- This was Utah State’s seventh shutout of the season, as USU has out-scored opponents by a combined 36-7.
- Kayla Sato’s assist in the 77th minute was the 35th of the season for Utah State. This sets a new program record for assists in a season, surpassing the 34 assists USU had in 2007 and 2021.
- This was the 10th game in 11 contests this season that Utah State has recorded two or more goals. The program record for multi-goal games in a season is 11 in 2002.
- Utah State recorded 22 shots while limiting San José State to 10. USU had a 9-4 advantage in shots on goal.
- 15 of Utah State’s 22 shots came in the second half.
- 13 different USU players recorded shots, led by graduate midfielder Alex Day’s four.
- Graduate keeper Cora Bendle played all 90 minutes in goal for the Aggies, matching her season-high with four saves in the game.
- Austin Miller’s penalty kick goal was the second PK goal of the year for Utah State. The team is now 2-for-2 this year on PKs.
- Miller’s goal was the fourth of her season and career.
- Kate Christian’s goal was her fourth of the season and the sixth of her career.
- Katilyn Richins’ goal was her second of the season and the third of her career.
- Solena Sellers’ goal was her second of the season and the fourth of her career.
- A pair of Aggie players made their first starts of the season – freshman forward Mia Mullenmeister and sophomore defender Kasie Vigil.
- With the win, Utah State improves to 12-5-3 all-time against SJSU, including a 6-3 record in San Jose.
- With the win, Utah State improves to 5-6-1 all-time in Mountain West openers, including a 3-1 mark under head coach Manny Martins.
UP NEXT
Utah State (10-0-1, 0-0-0 MW) continues Mountain West play when it travels to Fresno to take on Fresno State on Sunday, Sept. 19, at 1 p.m. (MT).
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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