Oct. 17, 2009
Final Stats
Northern Colorado Box Score 
Pocatello, ID--Idaho State to score out of the gates as the Bengals jumped to a quick 2-0 start in the first period and held Northern Colorado off in the second to record ISU's second shutout of the season over the Bears at Davis Field Saturday afternoon. The victory gave Idaho State a sweep for the weekend a improved the Bengals to a 3-1-0 record in Big Sky for nine points to hold a first place ranking in the league.
"I think we are continuing to progress. I think the difference this year is that we've stuck to the game plan," said head coach Allison Gibson of the increased level of play from the Bengals each game. "We've made minor adjustments here and there to plug up a few things and solve problems, but for the most part stuck with our game plan which is nice and we've haven't adjusted for anyone else. It's given us a chance to go from one game to the next and build."
The Bengals continue to score early as Idaho State has scored a goal in under 22 minutes in six of their last seven games. Sophomore Megan Stainbrook scored the game winning goal with 7:35 on the clock. The goal was unassisted as Stainbrook wheeled around on the far right post to take a shot that was curving into the goal which was finally deflected off of Northern Colorado's defender Sydney Vander Velde. The goal was Stainbrook's second of the season.
Almost ten minutes later Northern Colorado gained the chance to tie up the game as Kimmie Fielder broke through the Bengal defense and took a shot that hit the left side of the cross bar and bounced back into play. Fielder collected the ball and took a second shot, this time hitting the right post. The ball continued to stay loose in front of the goal as it ricocheted off the post giving Vander Velde a chance at redemption, but her shot would go wide.
Freshman Laura Perez would give the Bengals cushion going into the break as she scored a goal on a break-away shot of the right post from Ashley Jones at the 40:42 mark. The goal was also Perez's second of the season. The Bengals have had nine different players score at least one goal this season.
"When I look at a scouting report I look at who's leading their goals, who's leading their assists and who's leading their shots and those are the players we have to shut down and that's a key for us," said head coach Gibson. "When people look at ours you can't narrow it down as easily and I think it expands our ability to go to so many players and not always rely on a specific person because you can take an individual out of the picture so easily. So to be able to go to so many different players is definitely an advantage."
Idaho State controlled possession for the first half unleashing six shots with ISU scoring goals on two of their three on goal shots. The Bengals remained aggressive throughout the first period posting four corner kicks and 10 fouls.
In the second half of the contest the Bengals posted five shots, but were not able to get past UNC's Kirsten Salminen who recorded four saves, five for the game. Idaho State's keeper Bailey Williams benefited from ISU's strong backline as UNC's Ariel Cook was the only Bear to post an on goal shot that Williams easily caught for a save. Williams recorded her second save of the season and the fourth of her career.
Over the contest the Bengals out-shot the Bears 11-to-8 recording seven on goal shots to UNC's lone shot headed for the net. Idaho State recorded six corner shots for the game. The Bengals remain in first place for the Big Sky ranking with nine points as two more Big Sky contests will occur on Sunday. If Eastern Washington and Sacramento State's game ends in a tie the Bengals will remain on top of the rankings. If either team wins ISU will hold second place in the conference.
"It's what we are here for it's what we are doing and we know what we have to do to get there," said Gibson of the Bengals thought process to make it to the conference tournament. " Sure everyone is looking at other scores and everything, but like we've said there is only one team we can do anything about and that's us. Keep plugging away and taking care of our business. We just keep focusing on that and I hope and pray that all the other pieces fall into place."
Notes: The Bengals have won six of their last seven contests and are currently on a two-game win streak.
