LOGAN, Utah - Utah State soccer opens the 2010 campaign against in-state rival Weber State on Friday, Aug. 20 at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah. The match is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m.

Prior to the Aggies’ match, Southern Utah will take on Utah Valley at 5 p.m., in the first half of the doubleheader.

This is the first time since 2007 that the Aggies and Wildcats have met. In the last meeting, USU defeated Weber State 4-3 in Ogden behind Lauren Hansen’s game-winning goal.

Tickets are $5 for adults and provide admission for both matches. Any youth (17 and under) wearing a soccer jersey will get in for free.

Rio Tinto Stadium is located in Sandy, Utah, at the heart of the Wasatch Front. It is only 15 minutes from downtown Salt Lake City and 25 minutes from SLC International Airport. The state-of-the-art facility opened in October of 2008 and was the sight of the 2009 MLS All-Star game.

The world-class venue seats 20,000 people for MLS matches and other sporting events. The capacity can increase to 25,000 for concerts. Stadium amenities include 32 luxury suites, a 2,000-square foot Stadium Club, 1,000 premium club seats, five locker rooms, a 60-foot Video Board, and ribbon LED boards stretching 200 feet long.

Last season, forward Shantel Flanary’s overtime goal in the 99th minute gave Utah State the 2-1 win over Utah. It was the Aggies’ first win against the Utes since 1997.

The Aggies return 13 letterwinners and eight starters from last year’s team that finished 10-9-2 and advanced to the Western Athletic Conference Tournament semifinals. USU brings back four seniors in Hansen, midfielders Heather Pond and Stefani Shiozaki and goalkeeper Aleena Shelton.

Following the match against the Wildcats, Utah State will play its first “true” home match against Utah Valley on Sunday, Aug. 22 at 1 p.m. at Chuck and Gloria Bell Soccer Field.

Live stats will be available for the matches against Weber State and Utah Valley through the women's soccer page on www.utahstateaggies.com, by clicking on GameTracker in the current events box.

-USU-