Oct. 11, 2009
Final Stats
Eastern Washington Box Score 
Cheney, WA--Eastern Washington out-played the Bengals in the first half as they had four corner kick shots, but even after a second half push by the Bengals where they out-shot the Eagles 13-to-9 and recorded all seven of their corner kicks, Eastern Washington's Brittany Sparks went on a 25 yard run to score the game-winning goal handing the Bengals its first Big Sky Conference loss Sunday afternoon at the EWU Sports and Recreation Center.
"We came out really flat and never could get the ball to do quite what we wanted," said head coach Allison Gibson. "I have to give it to Eastern Washington as well as they played. They came out here with something to prove as they were picked last in the preseason poll. No question they wanted to win, you could see in on their faces. They deserved to win the way they played."
The contest was held on a chilly 30 degree day with high winds that the Bengals had yet to face this season. The first half of the contests the saw the teams fairly evenly matched as Eastern Washington posted five shots to Idaho State's three. The Eagles were able to come up with four corner kicks in the first half while Idaho State posted all seven of its corner kicks in the second half.
"They learned a hard lesson today," said Gibson of the Bengals flat start. "It's about consistency. We went from playing our best first half (against Montana) to our worst first half of soccer ever. It's consistency that makes great teams who can come out strong day in and day out."
The winds affected Bengal shots as Idaho State's Lauren Ryan posted the only shot on goal in the second half in the Bengals 16 total shots. Freshman Alex Hansen led the Bengals with three shots. Eastern Washington benefited from their home field advantage as they posted eight shots on goal from the team's 14 shots.
"It was clearly a factor for us today, it took us by surprise they played like icicles," said Gibson of the atmosphere of the match.
Eagle Sparks posted a game-high five shots and scored the game winner as teammate Chelsey Hannesson kicked a 25 yard through ball passed over the top of the Bengal defense to the feet of Sparks who went on a 25 yard run with a Bengal defender fighting her for position all the way.
Forward Sparks unleashed the shot that went past ISU's keeper Bailey Williams who recorded seven saves during the contest. Sparks who is the lead goal scorer for the Eagles by more than half recorded her ninth goal for the season against the Bengals, her third game-winner.
The Bengals (6-5-0) fell to 1-1 in the Big Sky for a third place ranking with Weber State, Northern Arizona and Portland State. Eastern Washington (5-6-1) remains undefeated 2-0 in conference play as they move to the top of the rankings with Sacramento State who defeated Northern Colorado for the Hornets second conference win. Eastern Washington is 5-6-1 for the season and posted their third straight victory with the win over Idaho State ending the Bengals four game win streak.
"Conference is so fast there is no time to hang our heads. It's over in a blink of an eye and we have to be ready," said Gibson of the Bengals preparation for the rest of conference play.
Idaho State will return home to host two conference home contests next week opening with Northern Arizona on Thursday, October 15 at 4 p.m. followed by Northern Colorado on Saturday, October 17 at noon on Davis Field.
