Utah State soccer begins the 2015 season this weekend with a pair of home matches. The Aggies host Central Arkansas in the season opener Friday, Aug. 21 at 4 p.m., at Chuck and Gloria Bell Field.
Friday’s action also serves as the season opener for Central Arkansas. The Bears opened the season on Friday, August 14, with an exhibition against the University of Mississippi, falling 2-0. Last season, the Bears went 5-12-2, with a 1-9-1 ledger in the Southland Conference. The team is led by junior midfielder Shelby Wilson, who ended the 2014 campaign with four goals and four assists. Sophomore Anna Hughes returns to the net this season after starting 18 of 19 matches as a freshman. She ended the 2014 season with a 1.84 goals against average and 95 saves.
The Bears are coached by Jeremy Bishop, who is entering his fourth season with the program. Friday’s match will be the first meeting between Utah State and Central Arkansas.
Utah State brings back 16 letterwinners and seven starters from last season's squad that ended with a 10-8-2 overall record and a 5-3-2 mark in Mountain West play. Among the Aggie returners are junior forward Jessica Brooksby, who led the team in scoring last season, and senior goalkeeper Jeannie Woller. Joining the veteran corps are seven freshmen who look to compete for significant minutes.
This season’s action will continue to be broadcast online through the Aggie Digital Network and the Mountain West Network. Fans can catch every Utah State home match, as well as every conference match in Logan or on the road. Live stats and play-by-play information will be available through GameTracker, while updates will also be provided through the team’s social media outlets.
Doug Hoffman is the associate athletic director for Utah State University Athletic Media Relations.