Courtesy of Utah State Athletics
LOGAN, Utah – No. 7 Utah State soccer (8-0-1, 0-0-0 MW) played to its first draw of the season in its non-conference home finale Thursday afternoon at Chuck & Gloria Bell Field, going 90 scoreless minutes with Washington State.
The Aggie defense held strong throughout, only allowing seven shots to the Cougars and four on frame, as graduate keeper Cora Brendle played all 90 minutes in goal and recorded four saves. On the flip side, Utah State registered 15 shots, including five on goal.
HEAD COACH MANNY MARTINS ON THE DRAW:
“I’m really proud of the team. This is sports, this is soccer. If this had been a basketball game, we probably win by a good margin, but it’s soccer. It’s hard to score. As far as how we played, this was our identity. In the first half, we just didn’t create enough, but in the second half, we out-shot them 10-2 and down to the last second, we were making an effort on goal. I give Washington State credit. We knew they were a deep team that was going to come in and provide some challenges, and they did. I thought as the game went on, we raised ourselves to the challenge and created chances, but we didn’t put them away. I’m proud of the team. We’ll learn some things from this game that will make us better in Phoenix.”
MATCH NOTES
- This is the first draw of the season for Utah State, and the first since a 0-0 result against South Dakota on August 3, 2023. Under head coach Manny Martins, this is the 13th draw.
- Utah State has shut out six of its nine opponents this season. Going back to last season, 12 of the past 17 Aggie opponents have been held scoreless.
- This draw snaps both the longest winning streak in program history, as well as the longest multi-goal streak in program history.
- Utah State maintains the second-longest unbeaten streak in program history, only behind a streak of 11 lossless matches in 2012.
- Utah State took 15 shots with five on goal, while Washington State was held to seven with four on goal.
- Cora Brendle made her second start of the season, playing all 90 minutes and recording a season-best four saves.
- Sophomore midfielder Summer Diamond led USU with four shots, including two on frame.
- With the draw, Utah State is now 0-2-1 all-time against Washington State.
- With the draw, Utah State is now 7-15-3 all-time against WCC opponents.
UP NEXT
Utah State (8-0-1, 0-0-0 MW) will wrap up non-conference play on Sunday, Sept. 22, when it travels to Phoenix, Arizona, to take on Grand Canyon at 8 p.m. (MT). The match can be streamed on ESPN+.
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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