Nov. 7, 2002
Montana-Portland State Box Score
Eastern Washington-Idaho State Box Score
Pocatello, ID---Stephanie Anderson scored her first goal as a Bengal and Rissa Raveaux added the clincher as the Idaho State Bengals advanced to their second straight Big Sky Women's Soccer Championship game, defeating Eastern Washington University, 2-1, Thursday afternoon at Davis Field. In the first game of the day, Portland State edged the University of Montana, 1-0.
Anderson, a freshman from Provo, UT, broke the scoreless tie in the second of the days semifinals with a determined effort. Anderson took a long pass from Ilsa Gramer, cut inside a pair of Eastern Washington defenders, then flipped the ball over the goalkeeper and put the shot in to give ISU a 1-0 lead.
The ISU defense, which led the Big Sky in fewest shots allowed and tied for the fewest goals allowed, did its job again, with some help from goalkeeper Shannon Boyle. Boyle only faced four shots on goal, but made three spectacular saves to keep the Eagles scoreless.
Then Raveaux, a junior from Portland, OR, put the icing on the cake. Raveaux took a long pass from Emily Hubbard, beat a defender and placed the ball in the far left side of the net, just past the outstretched arms of EWU goalkeeper Jonna Melton to give the Bengals a 2-0 lead. Tara Edelbrock broke up the shutout with just 3:38 left in the game with a goal, but that was all the Eagles would get.
Portland State showed just how far its program has come in a year in the days first semifinal. The Vikings allowed Montana just two shots, and none on goal, in a 1-0 win to advance to their first-ever Big Sky Championship game. Ginny Seibel scored the only goal the Vikings would need just 27:23 into the game off a corner kick and the defense took over from there.
After taking their second shot of the game in the 28th minute of the game the Grizzlies, who have won the Big Sky title three times, didn't take another shot. PSU held the ball in Montana territory for nearly the entire second half and took 10 shots to UM's two. Grizzlie goalkeeper Sarah Braseth made several spectacular saves to keep the score 1-0, but it wasn't enough.
With the win, ISU improves to 12-6-1 on the season, while EWU falls to 7-11. PSU continued its dream season with its 13th win, improving to 13-4-4 overall. Montana ends its campaign with an 8-10-1 mark. ISU and PSU will meet at noon on Saturday at Davis Field in the Big Sky Championship Game.
Quotes from Thursday's Games
Montana Coach Betsy Duerkesen
"I thought that the goal (for Portland State) was a momentum changer. Up to that point it had been a pretty even game. That goal seemed to change both teams mentally. They dominated in the second half."
Portland State Coach Tara Bilanski-Erickson
"I think momentum played a big part in the game. But our defense takes pride in how they play, just like our offense takes pride in scoring goals. Our defense was marking up players and clearing balls very well today. They really stepped it up and made the plays.
Portland State Player Katie Miyake
"I thought that we played really well today, especially our defense. We want to show that we're coming up in the Big Sky. We want to show (Idaho State) that we're better than them and that we can definitely play with them."
Eastern Washington Coach George Hageage
"ISU is always an organized team, it's hard to get shots off against their defense. We just didn't generate enough shots. That goal (Anderson's goal) gave them the momentum. That goal made us play a little more loose after that. We got a little panicked after that. We haven't been here before."
Idaho State Coach Gordon Henderson
"Any time you win its great. It wasn't the prettiest game we've played. It was tough conditions, the snow we got last week left the field very soft, very loose. We're going to do the best job we can with the field to get it ready for Saturday. It's going to be an interesting game."
"I keep talking about how important it is for us to score first. Scoring first was huge for us today again."
"Stephanie Anderson has just been getting better and better for us. She's been adjusting to how physical the Division I game is."
"Rissa (Raveaux) just has an instinct for finishing you can't coach. She's been injured all year long and she's still not at full fitness, but she's playing well for us."
