Second-half frenzy leads USU soccer over Stephen F. Austin Sunday

LOGAN, Utah – Two second-half goals scored less than six minutes apart led the Utah State soccer team to a 3-2 win over Stephen F. Austin Sunday at the Miner Classic in El Paso, Texas. The Aggies ended the tournament with a 2-0 record and collect at least a share of the Miner Classic title, depending on the outcome of the match between UTEP and Texas Tech. USU now improves to 3-0-0 this season which is the Aggies’ best start ever. The previous best start was USU’s 2-0-1 start in 2006. Stephen F. Austin falls to 1-2-0 with the loss. “We got out shot 18-11, and we just happened to be more efficient,” USU head coach Heather Cairns said. “You don’t like to give up four goals in two matches. Defensively, we need to learn to tighten it up. Fortunately, our attack was incredibly efficient today.” Less than a minute into the match, senior forward Erin Salmon scored her first goal of the season. Salmon drilled a shot from 25 yards out and out of reach of Ladyjack goalkeeper Courtney Baulder. Salmon was able to play 49 minutes Sunday coming off an injury. Another goal would not be scored by either team until the 67th minute, when Stephen F. Austin’s Megan Cash scored her first goal of the season. Cash took advantage of a misplay by Aggie sophomore goalkeeper Molli Merrill and scored an empty net goal to tie the score 1-1. The Aggies re-took the lead in the 74th minute when freshman defender Natalie Norris scored her first collegiate goal. Norris is the only freshman in the starting lineup and the first freshman to score this season. Norris headed the corner kick from junior Stefani Shiozaki. The ball then bounced on the ground and over Baulder’s head to give USU the 2-1 lead. Less than six minutes later, the Aggie extended the lead to 3-1 when junior forward Lauren Hansen scored what would be the game-winning goal, which was also her third goal of the Miner Classic. Sophomore forward Shantel Flanary ran down the ball that appeared to be going out of bounds. Flanary got the ball to Hansen who deposited her third goal of the season. “It was a great service in and Lauren (Hansen) did a great job of concentrating to finish,” Cairns said. “Hansen finishing the third goal was exciting.” The Ladyjacks cut the lead down to 3-2 in the 87th minute when Kim Kimmel scored an unassisted goal, but USU held on for the win. The Aggies return home for a tough test against its second Big 12 opponent of the season, No. 21 Oklahoma State on Friday, Sept. 4. USU will also face Wyoming at home on Sunday, Sept. 6. Live stats will be available for the matches against Oklahoma State and Wyoming through the women’s soccer page on www.utahstateaggies.com, by clicking on GameTracker in the current events box. Shots by period 1 2 Total Utah State 3 8 11 Stephen F. Austin 9 9 18 Corner kicks 1 2 Total Utah State 1 3 4 Stephen F. Austin 2 2 4 Saves by period 1 2 Total Utah State 4 4 8 Stephen F. Austin 1 3 4 Fouls 1 2 Total Utah State 4 4 8 Stephen F. Austin 4 5 9 SCORING SUMMARY Goal Time Team Goal Scorer Assists Description 1. 0:56 USU Salmon, Erin (1) (unassisted) Shot from 25 yards into upper 90’s country 2. 66:50 SFA Cash, Megan (1) (unassisted) GK misplays ball, leading to empty net goal for F 3. 74:16 USU Norris, Natalie (1) Shiozaki, S. headed off CK. ball hits and bounces over GK 4. 80:49 USU Hansen, Lauren (3) Flanary, S. crossed into the box, headed home 5. 86:50 SFA Kimmel, Kim (unassisted) dribbled in alone on, shot buried past keeper -USU-

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