LOGAN, Utah – Utah State soccer used a precise first half to take a 2-1 lead into the second, but an unlucky clearance by the USU backline in the 85th minute tied the game and led to the final 2-2 draw as the Aggies opened their 2022 season at Northern Arizona on Thursday night. The match was played without overtime as the NCAA instigated a new rule in 2022 when games that are tied in regulation during the regular season result in draws.
USU freshman winger Tess Werts scored the opening goal of Utah State’s 2022 campaign when a free kick by junior defender Kelsey Kaufusi was flicked on inside the 18 by senior forward Sammie Murdock. Werts found the ball at her feet and tucked the ball away to give the Aggies a 1-0 lead.
Utah State lost the ball in transition in the 28th minute and NAU capitalized with a shot from distance that tied the game 1-1. The Aggies didn’t have to wait long to regain the lead when pressured by the sophomore forward Heidi Smith in the 30th minute caused an errant pass from NAU’s keeper. Smith then played the ball to Jordan Foraker and the senior forward ripped a shot from outside the 18 that found the lower left corner of the goal to give USU the 2-1 advantage.
That margin carried over into the half as the Aggies logged all five of their credited shots during the match, including four on goal, in the opening 45 minutes. Utah State’s senior goalkeeper Maren Nielsen faced 19 shots credited to NAU during the contest and finished the game with seven saves in the first start of her career and first in-game action since the 2018 season.
Utah State returns to the pitch on Sunday, Aug. 21, hosting Idaho State in its 2022 home opener at Chuck and Gloria Bell Field at 4 p.m
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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