Nov. 13, 2003
Stats
Salt Lake City, UT In the biggest win in the history of the program and one of the biggest upsets in NCAA College Cup history, the Idaho State Bengals got a huge save in a shootout from Shannon Boyle, and Heather Jones clinched the win with a goal on the final penalty kick as the Bengals advanced to the Second Round of the NCAA College Cup over the 14th-ranked Utah Utes 1-0 in a shootout.
The Bengals advance to play Brigham Young, who scored an upset of their own by taking out the #10 seed, the Colorado Buffaloes 2-0. The game, which officially goes down as a tie, puts ISU's record at 10-8-2. The Bengals and the Cougars will play in Salt Lake City at Utes field on Saturday at 11:00 am Mountan Time.
The game was marked by bad weather as it remained windy and cold with rain on and off for most of the game. The Bengals weathered both that storm, plus Utah's, particularly in the second half as Idaho State keeper Shannon Boyle made eight of her career-high 12 saves, a mark which tied for the second-most in school history.
The Bengals also survived a scare with about 18 munites left when Utah rang a shot off the right post, which was then cleared. Utah took 20 shots on goal in regulation compared to six for ISU. The Utes were 7-0-1 in their last eight games entering the NCAA College Cup.
In overtime, neither team mounted much of a threat, although Boyle was called upon again with 17 seconds left in the first overtime.
In the shootout, ISU got the break they needed in round three. After Missy Dennis and Hether Wilhelm-Carter scored for Utah, ISU's Janel Smith and Shawna Park scored for the Bengals. Utah's Tracy Stratton then shot into the lower left corner, and it was stopped by Boyle, and that was the one break ISU needed. Ashli Kimenker gave ISU the lead at 3-2, and after Esther Imotan scored to tie, freshman Jennifer Loo answered.
Boyle nearly ended it on Utah's last shot, but Julie Herdic's shot into the lower right went in off Boyle's hand. With the game on the line, Heather Jones stepped up and scored on her shot to give ISU the 5-4 shootout win. The senior was immediately mobbed by her teammates as the ISU fans in attendance at the game celebrated.
Head Coach Gordon Henderson, who was named Co-Big Sky Coach of the Year, was understandably elated.
"This is incredible," he said on the postgame radio interview with KISU's Jerry Miller. "First of all, that was a very, very good Utah side. I have tremendous respect for what they've done down here."
"They took care of us pretty easily last game (a 2-0 Ute win on September 25), but we're a different team now. We took this game in 15 minute blocks, and the longer the game went, we felt better about our chances."
Added Henderson on the penalty kicks, "Really we had nothing to lose at that point, and I think that helped that the pressure was on Utah somewhat."
The first half of the game was a stark contrast to the second as the two teams combined for just seven shots, including just five on goal. ISU mounted several strong offensive charges, with both Shawna Park and Heather Jones picking up shots on goal. ISU used strong passing from their midfield, including sub Heather Arnell to control play for 15-minute stretch midway through the first half.
The second half of the game was dominated by the Utah offense and the Bengal defense. With a strong wind at their back the Utes were able to consistently keep the ball in ISU territory with long kicks deep in the ISU end and runs down the sidelines.
Boyle, a junior from nearby Orem, UT, was spectacular, make several sprawling saves. With about 10 minutes remaining Jen Williams took a pass from about 15 yards away in front of the goal, quickly turned and fired the ball at the goal. Boyle, who was lunging to her left reversed her motion and fell to the right, saving the ball and keeping the shutout intact. Shortly after that Missy Dennis took a shot from the left side that deflected off the crossbar and a subsequent shot by Lauren Field went wide.
Boyle not only made 12 official saves, but punched or deflected at least six other potential shots for the Utes. The ISU defense, led by reigning Big Sky Tournament MVP Hollie Christensen, Emily Blanchard, Carlie Tobiason and Ashli Kimenker were at their best in the second half as well. All four played the entire 110 minutes of the game and played flawlessly in the second half, clearly out numerous balls from the box before they became scoring chances.
In the midfield, Jenna Jones and Chantal Kim each played the full 110 minutes, while Arnell and Janel Smith came up with big games as well assisting the defense.
The ISU defense, with Boyle leading the way, has now posted three straight shutouts, the most consecutive shutouts since the start of the 2001 season. The Bengals have not allowed a goal in 331:11, the second longest such streak in school history. However, Boyle's streak of not allowing a goal over that stretch breaks the school record previously held by Holly Emery of 330:22. As a team only the 2001 squad's streak of 396:46 is longer.
ISU and Brigham Young (15-6-2) will meet at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday morning at Ute Field with a berth into the Sweet 16 of the College Cup on the line. Any Bengal fans wanting to come to game can get directions to Ute Field at:
http://isubengals.ocsn.com/sports/w-soccer/spec-rel/111103aac.html
