Sept. 5, 2008

Final Stats

Logan, UT - A cat-and-mouse defensive fight saw Utah State fired 21 shots toward the Texas State Bobcats Thursday evening at Bell Soccer Field, but a haughty defensive performance forced the game into double overtime and eventually led to a 0-0 tie game. Texas State shifts to a 2-1-1 overall record with tonight's decision and Utah State falls to 1-3-1.

Before the ten-minute mark flashed on the clock, the Bobcats had already taken four shots and one corner kick to open the game against the Aggies, but USU goalkeeper Ali Griffin maintained the net and turned each one away to keep Texas State scoreless.

The tables shifted at 10:54 when Erin Salmon had the chance to put Utah on top with a header that flew wide. The Aggies owned the next 11 shot-attempts, but a battling defensive line coupled with Bobcat goalkeeper Mandi Mawyer shut out the rehashing offense.

Mawyer recorded 2 saves in the first period and led off the second with a galvanizing third effort when Aggie Lindsey Smart took a penalty kick. The shot, fired into the lower right corner of the net was rejected by Mawyer.

In the second period, both team's defensive units were at its best. Texas State was limited to just three shots while Utah State attempted eight. Andrea Grifo and Kendall Webber led the Maroon and Gold offense with two shots each. Grifo fired the final Bobcat attempt in the 99th minute that flew wide. Texas finished the contest with nine combined shots.

Both overtimes proved just as tense and turned somewhat heated, as Mawyer was given a red card in the 89th minute. Freshman Deborah Ross entered the game and recorded three saves to maintain the binding 0-0 score.

The Bobcats will use Friday as a resting period before their Saturday tilt with Utah Valley in Orem, Utah. The Wolverines took a 3-2 overtime thriller against Northern Colorado Thursday night and will host the `Cats at Clyde Field. The match-up is slated for a 1 p.m. MT start.