Utah State campus briefs

WOMEN'S SOCCER: Utah State soccer is set to begin practice this week. The 2009 squad will begin its defense of its Western Athletic Conference title on Chuck and Gloria Bell Soccer Field at 4:30 p.m.

The Aggies return 12 letterwinners and seven starters from last year's team that finished 13-8-1 and advanced to the WAC Tournament championship match. USU brings back three seniors in defender Sydne Porter-Garner, midfielder Lindsey Smart and forward Erin Salmon.

USU also welcomes 11 newcomers to the 2009 team, including two transfers. Junior goalkeeper Aleena Shelton is a transfer from BYU, while sophomore midfielder Ellen Larsen transferred from Idaho State. The Aggies will take on both the Cougars and the Bengals as part of the 2009 schedule. Utah State also has nine freshmen added to this season's squad.

Utah State will open the 2009 campaign against one of the five NCAA Tournament teams on USU's schedule when the Aggies host Northern Arizona in the season opener on Aug. 21 at Chuck and Gloria Bell Soccer Field. After the home opener, USU will play its first of four matches in the Lone Star State. The Aggies will play in the UTEP Tournament on Aug. 28-30 in El Paso, Texas. USU will face Texas Tech on Aug. 28 and Stephen F. Austin on Aug. 30.

Utah State will look to defend its WAC regular season title. Last season, the Aggies were a perfect 7-0-0 in conference matches en route to their first WAC crown. USU returns four of the seven all-WAC honorees from last

season, including senior midfielder Smart, junior forward Lauren Hansen, sophomore midfielder Chandra Salmon and last season's WAC Freshman of the Year, forward Shantel Flanary.