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SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah women's soccer team faced a fierce test Wednesday night against an undefeated Utah State team in a heated in-state rivalry match.
Coming off a draw against Grand Canyon, the Utes were eager to bounce back at home. But the Aggies had other plans and beat the Utes 2-0.
On a warm night, the Utes faced one of their biggest challenges yet, with both teams determined to make a statement. Utah, who had been on a four-game win streak before last week's draw, entered the match with confidence, having won 12 of their last 15 games against Utah State.
Utah State, however, was hungry to extend their winning streak amid an undefeated season and take revenge years of frustration out against the Utes.
From the start, the Aggies dominated possession, pushing Utah onto the back foot. The first half was a battle, with Utah State's offense relentlessly challenging the Utes' defense.
Despite the relentless efforts from the Aggies, the score remained 0-0 at halftime, with Utah State managing two shots on goal compared to Utah's zero. The Utes' frustration began to mount as they struggled to find a way past the Aggies' defense.
The game remained scoreless until late in the 57th minute when Utah State's offensive persistence finally paid off. Forward Bizzy Arevalo made a crucial play, driving down the field to deliver a perfectly timed pass to midfielder Summer Diamond, who didn't hesitate to slot the ball past Utah's goalkeeper, giving the Aggies a 1-0 lead.
"We really emphasize throw-ins on our team, and so we did this play where I decided to drive in and I saw Summer wide open," Arevalo said. "I passed it to her, and I knew she would finish it."
Just five minutes later, the Aggies struck again.
Midfielder Alex Day attempted a cross from deep in the right corner, only to see the ball deflect off the side goalpost and roll into the net, putting Utah State up 2-0.
"I saw an opportunity for a quick restart, and my right back played it to me," Day said. "I tried crossing it, but it went in."
Despite a late push by Utah to get back into the game, including the first shot on goal from Lilliah Blum, the Utes couldn't break through the Aggies' defense. As the final whistle blew, Utah State celebrated a hard-fought victory, marking their first win over Utah since 2015 and extending their perfect season.
The 2-0 win not only extended Utah State's unbeaten streak but also dealt a tough blow to the Utes, who will look to regroup as they prepare to face Weber State at home Sunday.
As for the Aggies, they set their sights on maintaining a perfect season as they prepare for a high-stakes matchup against the 16th-ranked BYU Cougars on Saturday.
"I think it's really awesome," Arevalo said, speaking about it being a statement win for the team. "It's always a big rivalry to play Utah, and to finally come out on top was really awesome. It really shows how our hard work has paid off."
The Utes and Aggies will meet again in the spring, with Utah eager to avenge the loss and reclaim their dominance.
