Aug. 30, 2002
Box Score
Pocatello, ID---Ashley Steel and Janel Smith scored goals within 5:41 of each in the second half, helping the Idaho State University Bengals to a 3-1 win over Utah State in women's soccer action Friday night at Davis Field in the season opener for both teams.
The two goals came just four minutes after the Aggies (0-1) had tied the game at 1-1 on a penalty kick goal by Brigid Turner at the 70:12 mark of the second half. After being outshot 8-0 in the first 25 minutes of the second half the Bengals came alive.
Ilsa Gramer, who scored the first goal of the game, lined up a free kick from about 40 yards out and put the ball into the box to a waiting Jenna Jones. Jones then sent the ball across the goal box to Steel, who put the ball past goalkeeper Megan Mills for the go-ahead goal. Just five minutes later the Bengals got another golden opportunity when they took a corner kick. Steel placed the ball perfectly into the far side of the box where a diving Smith headed the ball past Mills for the clincher.
"Utah State made some very good tactical adjustments in the second half," ISU Head Coach Gordon Henderson said. "We didn't do a good job early of responding to that challenge. After that (Utah State) goal we came right back at them and got a goal. The corner kick was just a wonderful serve. She (Smith) just roofed it."
The first half was marked by few good opportunities for both sides. Finally, the Bengals broke through with the goal by Gramer. Gramer lined up a free kick from about 35 yards out and booted the ball into the box. Mills and defender Melissa Baggeley both went for the ball and collided as it arrived. The ball went off the defenders head and into the net for a goal.
The Bengals improved to 1-0 on the season and are now 4-0-1 all-time in home openers. They will have little time to celebrate, however. ISU takes on Southern Utah on Sunday at 1 p.m. at Davis Field.
