Aug. 29, 2010
Final Stats
Media Booklet: Idaho State 0 - Utah State 0 (2OT) 
POCATELLO, Idaho - Both Idaho State (2-1-1) and Utah State (2-0-1) felt the twinge of disdain at the metal crossbar during its contest on Sunday afternoon as each team hit the barrier. The crossbar was as close as either team would get to scoring in the 0-0 double-overtime game at Davis Field with ISU's Rachel Strawn posting her crossbar shot in the first overtime period while USU's Shantel Flanary hit the mark in the second overtime.
"I'm glad we didn't lose, but the result was bittersweet in that sense because we wanted to win for a lot of different reasons. Other than the second half when we had our lull I don't think I could have asked anymore of our kids. They really worked hard and sometimes it's not in the card for us to finish," said Head Coach Allison Gibson of her reaction to the double-overtime contest.
Idaho State's contest held extra meaning for the Bengals as they dedicated the game to former player Ashley Askwig who developed a heart condition that does not allow her to play soccer competitively. Askwig scored the game-winning goal against Utah State in 2008 in double-overtime with 16 seconds remaining.
Idaho State and Utah State have always had a fierce rivalry, USU being the first team the Bengal soccer program when they began in 1998. The strong competition continues today as the Aggie-Idaho State matchup has resulted in overtime games in three of the last four years with the exception to the 2009 season. However, this is the first time in their meeting they have finished in a tie. The series between the teams also remains tied at 5-5-1.
Both teams were comparable in the first period, but ISU unleashed seven shots to Utah State's four with both teams marking two each on goal. In the second period Utah State raised their play a level posting 11 shots to ISU's two, but the Bengal backline excelled and kept shut the Aggies out.
"I think Bailey played phenomenal and our backline was tremendous. Kelsea and Mo (Morgan Olson) were unbelievable especially on USU's Lauren Hansen," said Gibson of her player's efforts on the field. "Kelsea we can't take off the field because she is a rock star and Mo has done very well, especially today."
In the first overtime period the Bengals kicked their play into high gear as far as intensity and notched three shots while keeping the Aggies silent on their offense. ISU's Laura Benson had a wonderful opportunity off of a header that went high. ISU's closest attempt was taken by Rachel Strawn with 1:42 left in the first overtime when she hit the middle of the crossbar. ISU's Megan Stainbrook took her shot with 14 seconds left.
The Bengals continued their forceful run posting three corner kicks. The Aggies almost were able to take the upper-hand when the Bengals were whistled for a foul mere feet outside the front of the box giving USU a near straight shot save the four-man wall Idaho State positioned. Shantel Flanary decided to take the free kick in her own hands with 5:51 remaining in the final overtime and shot over the ISU four-man wall causing it to sail higher than required. Flanary's shot hit the cross bar maintaining the shut-out.
Utah State's Lauren Hansen took the Aggie's final opportunity to score by hitting a line drive to ISU keeper Bailey Williams' right at the 105:43 mark where Williams made a diving save. The 5-4 ISU keeper recorded seven saves, the Bengal defense notched two saves serving as the first line of defense in front of the goal in USU's seven different corner kicks. Idaho State posted 10 corner kicks in the contest. Williams earned her first shut-out of the season improving her career mark to six to hold the fifth best school record.
Senior Lauren Ryan and freshmen Andrea Beseris and Liv Zabka each notched two shots for the Bengals. Utah State's Lauren Hansen, a forward, posted a game-high five shots, four of which were on goal. Utah State edged ISU 17-13 in shots and dominated in shots on goal nine-to-two.
"The forwards still need to work on timing their runs better. We're getting in with that deep ball, but it is unproductive from there. We need to work on them taking that touch to goal, or at least getting the quality service. The initial ball is great, they are going to run them down with their speed, but they have produce on the end of them."
Idaho State will continue its home stand by hosting the Governor's Cup at Davis Field for the first time since 2007 when the captured the title for the second straight season. The governor's cup is a yearly intra-state competition between NCAA Division I institutions within the state of Idaho: Idaho State, Boise State and Idaho.
Since the Broncos and Vandals are both members of the Western Athletic Conference and play each other in their league contest, their Governor's Cup match will be played during their regular season on Sunday, October 24th in Boise, Idaho. To avoid repeat competition the Vandals and Broncos will play Utah Valley in Pocatello during the Governor's Cup. Idaho State's next contest will be Idaho on Friday, September 3 at 5 p.m. at Davis Field.
Governor's Cup Schedule
Fri., Sept. 3 Boise State vs. Utah Valley Davis Field 2:30 p.m.
Fri., Sept. 3 Idaho State vs. Idaho Davis Field 5:00 p.m.
Sun., Sept. 4 Idaho vs. Utah Valley Davis Field 11:00 a.m.
Sun., Sept. 4 Idaho State vs. Boise State Davis Field 2:00 p.m.
--www.isubengals.com--
