Weber State University Athletics
Weber State University
Utah State (Rio Tinto Stadium)
'Cats Fall In Season Opener to Aggies
8/20/2011 2:04:00 AM | Women's Soccer
SANDY, Utah -- For the second-straight season, the Weber State women's soccer team came up a goal short of Utah State in the season opener at Rio Tinto Stadium. On Friday night, the Wildcats were unable to find the net as the Aggies walked away with a 1-0 victory.
The 'Cats were able to possess the ball for good stretches in the opening half, but the Purple and White side found difficulty getting the ball into the attacking third and had only a single shot over the first 45 minutes.
"We were starting four freshmen, and we struggled in the first half," said WSU head coach Tim Crompton. "The first 20 to 25 minutes of the second half we were played really well. If we do that in the first half, it could have been a different game.
"We're further along than I thought we would be at this point, so that's encouraging. The way we played the first 20-25 minutes of the second half is really the team that they are. So, I think we'll see some good things going forward from here."
The Aggies posted 10 shots in the first period, but were unable to get at WSU goalkeeper Kirsten Anderson until the 33rd minute, when USU broke through on a set piece goal. Following a foul outside the left corner of the box, Summer Tillotson found Shantel Flanary making a run through the box. Flanary converted with a header, beating Anderson to the left post.
In the second half, the Wildcats were able to pick up the pace, and put together a fine stretch of play to open the final 45 minutes. The Aggie defense held firm, however, and WSU was unable to get level on any of its seven shots in the period. Molli Merrill recorded three saves in the period to preserve the clean sheet for Utah State.
Merrill's best save came with just over 20 minutes to play, as the Wildcats earned a free kick just outside the box. Jessie Baddley sent a curling shot over the wall, which Merrill could only punch over the top for a corner kick.
A year ago, Utah State scored a 2-1 victory over the 'Cats on the home pitch of Real Salt Lake to begin the season.
The Wildcats (0-1) will kick off a six-match road swing on Tuesday, Aug. 23, as they take on Utah Valley in Orem at 7:00 p.m.
