Box Score | Box Score | Final Results
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Nine seconds remained in regulation with the Bengals down 2-1, but freshman midfielder
Allyssa Kenney didn't hesitate as she took a long, high shot that went to the back of the net sending Idaho State into overtime with the Hornets. Laying it all out on the line, freshman forward
Amanda Ellsworth scored the game-winning goal, 7:01 into overtime to hand the Bengals a 3-2 victory over Sacramento State Thursday night.
"It was maybe the most exciting game I've ever coached. The way they fought it, it all came together for us," said Gibson.
Idaho State started the season 3-0 before falling on hard times with a 10-game non-winning streak. ISU broke it's slide with a 2-1 win over Eastern Washington last weekend and fell to a PK in a tough contest against Montana at home in the Bengals last game. With the last week of regulation play and the opportunity in hand, the Bengals pounced.
"It's been a long time coming," said Gibson. "I told them in pre-game, today is the most important game of your life. This is it. You need to go get it. Quit waiting for it. Go take it."
Sacramento State got on the board early with Jordan Carlberg's shot coming off ISU keeper
Carly Hutchings-Maloney's hands, 11:53 into the game. The goal was assisted by Caitlin Pulver. Idaho State responded with a goal by
Kiley Godfrey, her second of the season, that ricocheted off the cross bar and into the goal at the 60:15 mark.
Hornet Pulver retaliated with a long goal off a free kick at the 79:58 mark. As the clock winded down Kenney scored her third goal of the season with nine seconds remaining to send Idaho State into overtime, for ISU's third overtime game of the season.
After each team unleashed two shots in overtime, Ellsworth was able to convert for her seventh goal of the season and her third game-winning goal of the season. The freshman forward was able to tap the ball into the goal off a short cross from senior forward
Taylor Powell who was credited with the assist.
Idaho State out-shot the Hornets 20-to-16 with 10 on goal shots to Sacramento State's five. ISU's Ellsworth and
Ashley Jones tied with SAC's Jordyn Rolling for a game-high four shots. Four Bengals had a game-high two shots on goal.
Sophomore keeper Hutchings-Maloney had three saves and allowed two goals in 83:26. Freshman keeper
Maria Dela Cruz was placed in goal after the Hornet's second goal. She had zero saves in 13:37.
"Carly has been playing with a lot of pressure in the last few games. It's going to be a tough call," said Gibson about the starting position in Idaho State's last game of the season.
Junior defender
Morgan Olson, who broke her orbital bone in a game against Utah Valley, was cleared to play and saw 25 minutes on the field while wearing a face-mask for protection.
"I knew we couldn't use her a ton, but what she brings in leadership and fight I knew she would help us remain strong in the minutes she could give," said Gibson.
With the win, Idaho State improved to 5-10-1 overall and 2-4-0 in conference. Sacramento State fell to 6-8-2 for the season and 2-2-2 in league play. Idaho State's two conference wins earned the Bengals six points in the standings to tie for sixth place.
Idaho State hosts Portland State in its last home game of the season on Sunday, Oct. 23 at Davis Field. The game starts at 1 p.m. ISU will honor its three seniors: Powell,
Megan Stainbrook and
Alex Hansen.
