BoxscoreLOGAN, Utah ? Louisiana Tech?s soccer season came to an end on a chilly day in the mountains as Utah State downed the Lady Techsters, 10-1, on Saturday at the Chuck and Gloria Bell Soccer Field.
Kat McCullough scored her first goal of the season for the Lady Techsters.
?It is said that you can tell a lot about a person or team during times of adversity,? Tech head coach
Kevin Sherry said. ?During this first season, many obstacles have been put in our path, but the team has overcome every one. We have had to make many changes with personnel, playing time, and more importantly, the culture of the program.
?This first season (for our coaching staff) was not about how many W?s are in the win column. It was about putting in place deep and strong foundation stones on which this program can build and grow. The players who are now involved with the program embody the four new cornerstones of the foundation: integrity, trust, support and hard work.?
Utah State (9-10-0, 5-2-0 WAC) struck early and often, beginning with a goal in the third minute by Lacey Christensen when the ball deflected off a Tech defender right in front of the box, and Christensen had a one-on-one with
Tara Gavlak just outside the six-yard box. Her shot found the back of the net, and the Aggies took an early 1-0 lead.
The Aggies would add to the lead when Abby Hunt headed a great cross from Lindsey Smart past Gavlak to put Utah State ahead 2-0 with less than nine minutes gone in the first half.
Only four minutes later, Utah State made it 3-0 when a long ball from Sydne Porter found Candice Clark ahead of the pack, who then sent a cross to Lauren Hansen right in front of the net for an easy score.
A free kick from midfield found Dana Peart inside the 18-yard box, who chipped it over to Hansen for her second goal of the match, making it 4-0 in the 23rd minute. Hansen made it a hat trick a few minutes later, giving the Aggies a 5-0 lead. USU would add one more before halftime for a 6-0 lead at the break.
USU kept pouring it on in the second half with four goals in the period, taking a 10-0 lead with 18 minutes to play.
The Lady Techsters (2-14-1, 0-6-1 WAC) would ruin the Aggies? shutout bid in the 74th minute when
Kat McCullough lofted a shot from just outside the 18-yard-box over the Aggie keeper?s head, scoring Tech?s fourth conference goal of the season to make the score 10-1.
Utah State outshot Tech 22-7, including a 16-3 advantage in shots on goal.
Tara Gavlak and
Nicole Didier each had three saves for the Lady Techsters. The Aggies? scoring output was the most in school history, and tied for the second-most goals allowed by a Louisiana Tech team.
?It has been my experience that success will not come to any team unless the attitude is right,? Sherry said. ?One of our mottos has been, ?Attitude governs success!? I am proud of this team and am excited about the future because the attitude is now right. Success on the field is just around the corner.?
