Sept. 17, 2005
Box Score
Logan, UT--Idaho State gave up a goal in the first half and another in the second to take a 2-0 loss to Utah State Saturday afternoon at the Chuck and Gloria Bell Soccer Field in Logan, Utah. ISU continues road play on Sept. 21 at Boise State.
With the loss, Idaho State drops to 2-6-0 on the season, while Utah State improves to 2-4-2.
"We had our opportunities early and couldn't capitalize on them," said ISU head coach Mark Salisbury. "We lost the momentum of the game early and we just never recovered."
ISU's earliest opportunity to score came when Natalie Graham dribbled the ball down the middle of the field and made a nice lead pass to Jenny Ford. Ford then got past USU keeper Kelli Allred and fired an open goal shot just wide left of the net in the ninth minute.
"That shot would have changed the entire game," Salisbury said. "We have to take advantage of those opportunities."
The Bengals were without the services of senior defender Ashli Kimenker, who was forced to sit the game out due to a couple of yellow cards in the Southern Utah game on Thursday.
"We really missed Ashli today," Salisbury said. "She's not only a tremendous defender, but she is our leader out on the field. Her presence was missed today."
Utah State got on the scoreboard in the 13th minute when Charity Weston received a cross from teammate Tiffany McQueen and found the back of the net to put the Aggies up 1-0. USU scored again at the 68:34 mark when ISU keeper Esther Toronto mishandled an Aggie Cross. Utah State's Sierra Smith then put her first goal of the year past Toronto to secure the 2-0 win.
Toronto started in goal for ISU, playing nearly 70 minutes with two saves before being replaced by Maren Eves. Eves tallied three saves without allowing a goal.
The Bengals managed just six shots on the day, two on goal, while Utah State tallied 19. ISU's Chantal Kim and Michelle Okumura each recorded shots on goal.
Idaho State will now try to secure the Governor's Cup when the team travels to Boise State for a Sept. 21 matchup against its in-state rival. The Bengals will next return home on Sept. 25 to host Rice.
