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In late September, BYU traveled to Logan and defeated Utah State 1-0.
Both teams have improved since then, winning their respective conference championships.
The Aggies' task in the return engagement Friday in the first round of the NCAA Tournament is more difficult due to the game's location — South Field, where an average of more than 3,300 fans gathered this season to spur on the No. 4-ranked Cougars.
"I can't tell you how excited and honored I was seeing that No. 1 seed," BYU senior defender Lindsi Lisonbee Cutshall said. "I don't think there's a better way to wrap up my senior season — we get home advantage, we won our conference and now this."
A No. 1 seed for the first time ever, BYU (18-1-1) is riding a 17-game unbeaten streak, going 7-0-1 in the West Coast Conference. WCC Freshman of the Year Michele Murphy and senior Jessica Ringwood lead the Cougar squad with eight goals each. Senior Carlee Payne Holmoe leads in the assist category with nine.
USU (13-2-6) earned its second consecutive tournament appearance, thanks to a 1-0 victory against Denver on Sunday for the WAC Tournament title. The streaking Aggies have won eight straight and have an 11-match unbeaten streak — their last loss coming against BYU.
"They are an opponent that we are very familiar with since we play them in the spring as well," USU coach Heather Cairns said. "The plus of it is that it is just a short bus ride down the road. Our legs aren't going to be tired from traveling." —
NCAA Tournament
P Utah St. at BYU
Friday, 6 p.m.
At South Field —
Ticket prices
Reserved • $10
Non-student general admission • $7
Student GA • $5 (College students must show a student ID)
All Sport Pass Holders • $2
Children in GA • 3–5 years old — $1
Children 2 and under • Free