Game Notes: Southern Utah
BENGAL OVERVIEW
Idaho State opens its season for the first time at Southern Utah on Friday, Aug. 19 at 5 p.m. at the Thunderbird Soccer Field. The Bengals have fallen in their last two season openers, the most recent to No. 22 Marquette on the road, but ISU owns an 8-1-0 series record against the Thunderbirds.
Last season, Idaho State defeated SUU 4-3 at home on Davis Field. Southern Utah has only overcome the Bengals once in 2005 in a 1-0 double overtime decision at Thunderbird Soccer Field. The last time the Bengals won a season opener was against Utah State in 2008 in a 2-1 double overtime decision at Davis Field.
Fans can follow ISU's contest against the Thunderbirds through Southern Utah's live stats available at www.suutbirds.com.
ABOUT IDAHO STATE
Speed is the word being used to describe Idaho State's 2011 soccer program. The Bengals will be playing a revamped 4-3-3 system that will allow the Bengals to be more offensive-minded. ISU returns 15 players including seniors
Taylor Powell,
Alex Hansen and
Megan Stainbrook. The Bengals also return all of their top scorers from last season:
Ashley Jones (3g),
Kiley Godfrey (3g, 2a),
Rachel Strawn (2g, 5a),
Laura Perez (2g, 2a) and Powell (2g). With a new offensive system and experienced goal scoring legs the Bengals should prove to be a fire power.
ISU SHOWS OFF SCORING PROWESS IN EXHIBITION GAME
The Bengals gave ISU fans a sneak preview of their offensive power and speed when they defeated the Carroll College Saints 6-1 in an exhibition game at Davis Field on Sunday. Junior
Anna Pingree led the charge scoring back-to-back goals, one in each period. Margolis, Pingree,
Amanda Ellsworth and Powell all scored against Carroll College. Freshman Ellsworth led the Bengals with five shots, three on goal while recording a goal and an assist.
MARGOLIS IS A RETURNER CLASSIFIED AS A NEWCOMER
Margolis transferred to Idaho State from Oregon State in the spring of 2010 and competed with ISU during the spring season. She has played a semester under the ISU newly revamped 4-3-3 offense.
BENGALS NOT CONCERNED WITH PRESEASON POLL
After an eighth place finish and a single Big Sky victory in 2010 it isn't surprising that the Bengals would be selected in the lower half of the Big Sky Preseason Coaches Poll. The Bengals were selected to finish seventh with 14 points. Even with the low finish Head Coach
Allison Gibson isn't concerned because she believes the season is not played on paper. ISU is a different team than last year and the Bengals expect to prove themselves on the field.
"We Are Your Bengals"
