Sept. 6, 2007

LOGAN, Utah - Utah State's soccer team heads to Flagstaff, Ariz. this weekend to play in the La Quinta Inn and Suites High Altitude Classic hosted by Northern Arizona. The Aggies will face UC Irvine, a former Big West rival, on Friday Sept. 7 at 5 p.m. (MT) and then battles Northern Arizona on Sunday, Sept. 9 at 3 p.m. (MT). Friday and Sunday's contests are part of five straight road matches to begin the season.

The Aggies are 1-1 on the young season after defeating Texas State, 1-0 and falling to Texas Christian, 3-1, during thier opening weekend action.

"Our game plan is to be the aggressor, to set the tone of the game instead of letting the game come to us," said Utah State head coach Heather Cairns. "The key for us will be to possess the ball, spread the field and stick to our game plan."

Utah State is led by senior forward Dana Peart (Brigham City, Utah) who was been named the America First Credit Union Utah State Athlete of the Week for the period ending on Sept. 2. Peart scored both goals last weekend for USU and leads the team four points. She is currently tied for first in the WAC in goals scored and goals scored per game.

UC Irvine enters the weekend with a 1-1-0 record after falling 3-0 to Fresno State on Friday and defeating Cal State Bakersfield, 3-0, Sunday evening.

Northern Arizona opened the season with a 1-0-1 mark after hosting the Hilton Garden Inn Mountain Classic. The Lumberjacks came to a 0-0 double overtime draw against Temple and defeated Lamar, 7-0, Sunday evening in a record-breaking performance.

Utah State is 1-7-1 against UC Irvine, losing seven straight times from 1996-2002 before tying, 0-0, after two overtimes in 2003 and winning 3-1 at home in 2004. USU is leading the series against NAU with 3-2-0 record. The Aggies last defeated the Lumberjacks in 2003 winning 1-0.