WOMEN's SOCCER:
The Aggies used some of it young guns to capture a 2-0 win over Northern Arizona in its season opener on Friday at Chuck and Gloria Bell Field. Sophomore goalkeeper Molli Merrill earned her first collegiate shutout in just her fourth match. All of the Aggies' offense also came from sophomores. With the win USU improves to 1-0-0, while the Lumberjacks fall to 0-1-0. USU now leads the series, 4-3.
"Anytime you come out and battle the first match of the season and get a win under your belt; it is something special," USU head coach Heather Cairns said. "We are really happy that we kept the shutout. It is our first shutout of the year; not a bad way to start."
Sophomore defender Summer Tillotson scored the first Utah State goal of the 2009 season in the 14th minute on a penalty kick after a Lumberjack hand ball in the box. It was Tillotson's third career goal after depositing two in the back of the net in 2008.
The Aggies doubled their lead to 2-0 in the 41st minute behind the leg of sophomore striker Shantel Flanary. Sophomore Danielle Shorts earned her first collegiate point with an assist on the second goal of the match. Senior midfielder Lindsey Smart took a free kick from 30-yards out, Shorts then took the ball and crossed it to Flanary who redirected it with her right foot from six yards out to give the Aggies the 2-0 lead.
"We definitely accomplished some of the goals that we set out to. It was definitely a better season opener than last year's first match (2-1 overtime loss to Idaho State)," sophomore Shantel Flanary said. "It was a great win here at home; I think we are a little bit more experienced this year."
Despite changes in the Aggie backline this season, Utah State has kept its signature tough defense. USU allowed only one shot in the first half and four in the second. The Lumberjacks threatened twice late in the second half with shots from Ashley Marraponde and Brandy Carr, both of which were saved by Merrill.
With the win, the Utah State soccer program earned its 97th win. The Aggies are now only three wins away from its 100th program win.
The Aggies now take to the road, traveling to El Paso, Texas for the 12th-annual Miner Classic hosted by UTEP. USU will take on Texas Tech on Friday, Aug. 28 and Stephen F. Austin on Sunday, Aug. 30. This is the Aggies' first meeting with both teams.