Aug. 22, 2008
Final Stats
Complete Utah State Box Score 
Pocatello, ID--Freshman Ashley Askwig scored the game-winning goal in the season opener against Utah State with 16 seconds remaining in double overtime Friday afternoon at Davis Field. Idaho State improves their season record to 1-0-0 while the Aggies fall 0-1-0.
"It feels really good to me, because the veterans have never won against Utah State so I am glad I was there at the right time and I could finish it for them," said Askwig. "I'm just really proud of my team and stoked for the year."
ISU went into the game against Utah State leading the series 5-3-0, dropping the last two series 0-1 each. The game began threatening to be a repeat of the previous two years as Idaho State started off sluggishly. Utah State took advantage of the slow pace and took an early lead as junior Erin Salmon scored a goal in the first 6:41 against freshman keeper Michelle Harrison. The goal was assisted by sophomore Heather Pond.
Though frustration ensued after the Utah State goal, the Bengals picked up the pace with the entrance of some more aggressive style players such as freshman Alex Hansen.
"We tried to get her to be that presence," said head coach Allison Gibson about Hansen. "Try to set the tone for us and be a little bit more aggressive and hold possession."
With the Bengals returning to their aggressive style of play they regained dominance on their home field. However, Idaho State did not see its efforts pay off until the 55th minute when senior defender Katie Miller hit a deep pass up the right side of the field, which hugged the sideline. Sophomore Taylor Powell, a forward, sent a cross to the left side of the field for Lauren Ryan, a sophomore, to score a goal against senior keeper Ali Griffin. The goal was Ryan's first of her career as a Bengal.
With the goal ISU tied the game. In the first overtime period the Bengals were only able to take one shot as Utah State controlled the field, specifically Lauren Hansen who took two shots in the first overtime period alone, she took four shots over the course of the game.
Literally fighting till the end, in the last sixteen seconds of the second overtime period Hansen set up Askwig as she buried the ball in the back of the net to give the freshman her first career goal as a Bengal and awarding Idaho State the victory.
Not only did the win give Idaho State its first victory over Utah State since 2003, it also marks the first time the Bengals have won in overtime since 2006 and continues from where they left off last year with an undefeated home season. Idaho State had a home record of 6-0-2 during the 2007 season. With the season opener win coach Gibson ads to her stand in the record book with the longest undefeated home winning streak in the history of Idaho State with 13.
I think it speaks volumes and sets the tone early knowing they can do it," said head coach Gibson about freshmen being aggressive and scoring early in the season. "It plants the seed in the other kids, it plants the seed in her, in the returners and older players that these kids can step up and get the job done for us. That it doesn't have to be a veteran or seasoned player. I think that sets the tone for the season."
Keeper Harrison was awarded the game, the first of her career as a Bengal. Harrison held her ground and made three saves in the first and second period followed by a save in the first overtime for a total of seven. Idaho State and Utah State each had five corner kicks, while two of the five for ISU came in the second overtime period.
Idaho State will practice for a week in preparation for its game at Air Force on Friday, August 29, at the Cadet Soccer Stadium at 7:00 p.m.
