Courtesy of Utah State Athletics
LOGAN, Utah – Utah State soccer (18-1-5, 7-1-3 MW) saw one of the greatest seasons in program history come to a close Friday afternoon at Chuck & Gloria Bell Field, falling to Washington in penalty kicks after playing 110 scoreless minutes in a 0-0 draw in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
The Aggies held a firm grip during regulation, creating eight shots on goal while limiting the Huskies to just three, but neither defense cracked during the run of play. Utah State increased pressure as the match went on, registering just two shots during the first half but 10 in the second, plus three more during the two 10-minute overtime periods. In total, USU out-shot Washington 15-12.
In PKs, the Aggies made just one of four shots, while the Huskies went a perfect 3-for-3 to end the best-of-five round early.
UTAH STATE HEAD COACH MANNY MARTINS
“These are always tough, right? I’m really proud of the team, I thought we played well throughout the game. I thought we stepped it up in the second half. We went from two shots in the first half to 10 in the second half, we really turned up the volume and had shots skim across the bar a couple of times. In the end, it’s about the result, and we fell short in PKs, but I’m really proud of the team’s performance and the season overall.”
MATCH NOTES
- Utah State concludes the season 18-1-5 overall, with a 7-1-3 record in Mountain West play.
- This was the fourth time USU has played in the NCAA Tournament, and the first time being seeded and hosting in the tournament.
- With the draw, the Aggies are now 0-3-1 all-time in NCAA Tournament games.
- Utah State concludes the season having set program records for wins (18), goals (62), assists (65), points (189), shutouts (15) and shots on goal (202).
- This was the first penalty kick shootout for Utah State since Oct. 30, 2022, a shootout with San Diego State in the Mountain West Tournament.
- This was just the third PK shootout in program history. USU is now 1-2 all-time in shootouts.
- Utah State finished with 15 shots, including eight on goal. Washington finished with 12 shots, including three on goal.
- The trio of junior forward Kaylie Chambers, junior forward Tess Werts and sophomore midfielder Summer Diamond each took a team-high three shots in the match. Diamond and Chambers each had three on goal.
- Graduate Cora Brendle played all 110 minutes plus the shootout in goal. She finished the day with three saves.
- This was Brendle’s 11th clean sheet of the year, tying a program record for shutouts in a season along with Molli Merrill in 2011.
- With the draw, USU finishes the year undefeated at Bell Field with a 7-0-2 record at home.
- With the draw, Utah State is now 0-2-2 all-time against Washington and 0-12-3 all-time against Big 10 opponents.
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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