Courtesy of Utah State Athletics

OREM, Utah – No. 11 Utah State soccer (6-0, 0-0 MW) earned a commanding victory Thursday evening at Clyde Field in Orem, defeating Utah Valley 3-0. With the win, the Aggies remain perfect as they improve to 6-0 on the year.

Utah State wasted no time getting on the board, as junior midfielder Kaitlyn Richins struck first with a highlight goal under three minutes into the contest. Richins took a set piece following a Wolverine foul, lobbing a ball toward the goal from 60-plus yards. With a single bounce, the ball went beyond the outstretched fingertips of the UVU keeper and into the back of the net.


In the 40th minute, USU struck again when sophomore forward Kate Christian received a touch outside the 18-yard box, before weaving between three Wolverine defenders and netting her first goal of the season.


Just three minutes later in the 43rd minute, Christian tried for another, but her shot was deflected by the keeper and back to the feet of freshman forward/midfielder Austin Miller, who launched it back for a goal of her own to make it 3-0.


SCORING SUMMARY
2:43 –    Kaitlyn Richins (USU)
Assist: None
39:03 – Kate Christian (USU)
Assist: Mia Mullenmeister
42:06 – Austin Miller (USU)
Assist: Kate Christian

UTAH STATE HEAD COACH MANNY MARTINS
“This is a great showing by our team and it’s a sign of our depth. We played so many players. I’m so proud of them because I felt like it was a solid performance from minute one to the 90th minute. We never stopped trying. Shay is doing great, our game-changers are coming in and scoring goals, I couldn’t be more proud of them. And we’re still looking to get better, there’s a lot that we can still do.”

MATCH NOTES

  • Utah State improves to 6-0 for the second time in program history. The previous occasion was in 2011, when the team opened the year 8-0.
  • The Aggies have outscored opponents by a combined 16-1 this season.
  • Utah State finished the match with a 22-13 shots advantage, with 12 shots on frame to UVU’s six.
  • 14 different USU players registered shots, led by a career-high three from freshman forward Ellie Hendrix.
  • Kaitlyn Richins’ goal was her first of the season and the second of her career.
  • Kate Christian’s goal was her first of the season and the third of her career.
  • Austin Miller’s goal was the second of her season and career.
  • Sophomore Shay Kercher-Pratt played all 90 minutes in goal, registering a career-high-tying six saves.
  • In total, 25 Aggies saw time in the contest.
  • With the win, Utah State is now 7-2 all-time against UVU, with a 3-1 series lead in Orem. This is the first time the teams have played since 2021.
  • With the win, Utah State is now 31-42-3 all-time against opponents from the state of Utah, including an 8-4-1 record under head coach Manny Martins.
  • This is USU’s fifth shutout victory this year. Dating back to last season, 10 of the past 13 games have been shutout wins for the Aggies.
  • Utah Valley was receiving votes in the most recent United Soccer Coaches Top 25 poll. It was the fifth team out of the poll with eight points.

UP NEXT
Utah State (6-0, 0-0 MW) will return home this weekend to host Pacific on Sunday, Oct. 8. The match will kick off at 1 p.m., at Chuck and Gloria Bell Field, with a free stream available on the Mountain West Network.

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.

-USU-

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