Oct. 19, 2006
Box Score
Missoula, MT--Elizabeth Roberts fired a shot that sailed over Montana's defense and into the back of the net as Idaho State defeated the Grizzlies 1-0 Thursday afternoon at South Campus Stadium. The win is the first-ever victory for Idaho State against Montana in Missoula.
"I'm so proud of our team," said ISU head coach Allison Gibson. "It's been a snowball effect for us. We keep getting better with each game we play. Our team has never stopped believing and their hard work is paying off. They are starting to see the results."
Idaho State, which has now won four straight, improves to 8-7-0 overall, 4-1-0 in Big Sky play. Montana falls to 8-7-1 overall, 2-2-1 in league play.
Roberts, who had only been in the game for four minutes, scored the game-winning goal in the 71st minute when a Montana player miss-hit a ball that was to be cleared. The ball then came across to Roberts, who then kicked it on the bounce from 25 yards out and into the goal. The score marks the first career goal for the Pocatello native.
"She (Roberts) hit the ball with a perfect arc," Gibson said. "She floated it right over a Montana defender and goalkeeper. It couldn't have been hit any better."
The game went back-and-forth with each team battling for possession of the ball. The Bengals recorded 10 shots while Montana notched 11. ISU had five shots on goal to UM's four.
"It was a very even game," Gibson said. "It was a full 90-minute battle. Both teams were very evenly matched and you have to give Montana a lot of credit. They are a great team and gave us everything they had."
ISU's defense recorded its second-straight shutout and fifth of the season. The shutout also marks just the third time this season that Montana has been held without a goal in a game. The shutout is the fourth of the season for ISU keeper Lyndsay Gensler, who collected four saves on the day.
"Our backline was amazing today," Gibson said. "The defense played solid across the board. They prevented things from happening for the entire 90 minutes. They continue to get better and better with each game. They prepare so hard and it's paying off for them."
Annamarie Hofstetter led the Bengal offense with four shots, three on goal. Natalie Graham added two shots and four others notched one.
Idaho State now returns to Pocatello to host its final regular season home game of the season. The Bengals welcome Eastern Washington to Davis Field on Sunday. Kick-off is set for 1 p.m.
ISU will also participate in a short ceremony on Friday as Idaho Governor James E. Risch will present head coach Gibson and her team with the Governor's Cup trophy. The Bengals won the Governor's Cup earlier this season after defeating both Idaho and Boise State. The ceremony is set for 1 p.m. at Davis Field.
Notes: The win is the first-ever victory for Idaho State in Missoula. Prior to Thursday's win, ISU had lost five games to Montana and one to Northern Arizona in Missoula....
Games Played in Missoula:
1998 at Montana, L 0-4
2000 at Montana, L 1-2 (2OT)
2000 vs. Northern Arizona, L 0-1 (Big Sky Tournament semifinal game)
2002 at Montana, L 0-1
2003 at Montana, L 0-3
2005 at Montana, L 1-2
2006 at Montana, W 1-0
