Nov. 2, 2002
Box Score
Ogden, UT---Idaho State University clinched its first-ever Big Sky regular season title and will host next week's postseason tournament, with a 2-1 win over Weber State Saturday afternoon in women's soccer action.
Stacey Peterson added to her school record total for goals in a season with her 10th goal of the season at the 32:40 mark of the first half. Janel Smith took the ball up the left side of the field and sent it ahead to Peterson, who beat the last defender and put it in the back of the net, past a diving Kandice Golar to give ISU a 1-0 lead.
But the Wildcats responded quickly, scoring less than seven minutes later to tie things at 1-1. The ball was thrown into the box by Amy Baird, Erin Smith picked up the ball and shot it towards the goal. The ball deflected off an ISU defender and into the goal.
It didn't take for the Bengals to retake the lead. Less than two minutes later Ashley Steel took in the ball at midfield, beat a defender and served the ball to a streaking Hunt, who one-touched the ball into the goal at the 41:32 mark.
From there the Bengals held onto the lead and nearly expanded on it on three occasions, but Peterson hit the crossbar once and Smith hit a post. However, the Wildcats had just two shots on goal, failing to score.
"Obviously, I'm very pleased with win," ISU Head Coach Gordon Henderson said. "It's our first league title and it means a lot to the players to host conference tournament. I'd also like to commend both teams for trying to play some good soccer in some tough conditions, thanks to the weather. Very pleased with way we played in second half. Played up-tempo game thanks to the conditions."
The Bengals improved to 11-5-1 overall and 5-1 in Big Sky Conference play. Weber State fell to 5-12-1 and 1-5. With the win ISU will host the Big Sky Tournament next weekend in Pocatello.
The semifinals, which will feature Montana and Portland State in game one and Idaho State and Eastern Washington in game two will be played at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. at Davis Field on Thursday, November 7. The winners of the two semifinals will meet in the championship game at noon on Saturday, also at Davis Field.
Tickets for the tournament will go on sale at the ISU ticket office on Monday. Tickets for adults are $5 and $3 for children.
