Idaho State vs. Northwest Nazarene
Date: Tuesday, August 23
Site: Davis Field
Kick-Off: 3:00 p.m.
Live Stats: http://www.sidearmstats.com/isu/wsoc/xlive.htm
Radio: The Bengal Radio Network (Play-by-play:
Matt Steuart, Color: Lauren Hough)
Game Notes: Northwest Nazarene
BENGAL OVERVIEW
After a 2-0 victory over Southern Utah on the road to open the season, the Bengals have a three-game home stretch. In Idaho State's home opener the Bengals host Northwest Nazarene on Tuesday, Aug. 23 at 3 p.m. at Davis Field. The contest is an exhibition game for the Crusaders.
SERIES INFO AND LAST MEETING WITH THE CRUSADERS
Though the two teams have never competed in a regular season competition they did meet in 2009 for an exhibition game at Davis Field. Idaho State defeated the Crusaders 3-0 with Lauren Ryan scoring the game winning goal 2:20 into the first half, followed by goals from
Ashley Jones and Christina Beseris.
FOLLOWING BENGAL ATHLETICS
Fans can follow Idaho State's home soccer contests through KISU 91.1 FM. The broadcast is also presented via live webcast at www.isubengals.com. Live stats can also be found on the Bengal athletic website. Fans can access information about the soccer program through twitter and facebook as well.
BENGALS SOLID AT HOME
Idaho State has won three of its last four home openers. Though ISU fell 2-0 to Maine in 2009. ISU went on to capture the rest of its home contests for a 5-1-0 record. Last season, the Bengals defeated the College of Idaho 4-1 at Davis Field in the home opener. ISU went on to post a 5-2-2 home record. Under Head Coach
Allison Gibson the Bengals own a 22-8-7 (.689) at Davis Field.
STRAWN SCORES FOURTH CAREER GAME WINNING GOAL
Junior
Rachel Strawn scored the game-winning goal in Idaho State's 2-0 victory over Southern Utah on the road in the Bengals' season opener. Strawn's game-winning goal was initiated by a cross from midfielder
Ashley Jones. Strawn buried the ball in the back of the net, 29:40 into the game. Strawn posted two shots in 74 minutes with one on goal leading to the game-winner. The goal was Strawn's fifth goal of her career and her fourth game-winner. Strawn's fourth game-winning goal ties for the fourth best career record at Idaho State.
SOPHOMORE KEEPER POSTS SECOND CAREER SHUT-OUT
Sophomore keeper
Carly Hutchings-Maloney captured the second shut-out of her career in Idaho State's 2-0 victory over Southern Utah on the road in ISU's season opener. She recorded four saves; three in the first period alone. ISU's season opening victory marks its first since 2008. Hutchings-Maloney was the back-up keeper for the Bengals last season and had just seen 483:23 in goal prior to ISU's season opener. Over her career she has collected a 2-3-0 record.
FRESHMAN ELLSWORTH PROVES TO BE A SCORING MACHINE
Though the Bengals' exhibition game does not count in the score books, the confidence the Bengals gained from watching ISU put up a 6-1 win over Carroll College followed by a 2-0 win over Southern Utah is undeniable. Bengal fans were thoroughly impressed by the efforts of freshman forward
Amanda Ellsworth who assisted on the game winning goal against Carroll College as well as posting her own goal against the Saints. Ellsworth continued to impress by scoring an unassisted goal off a deflection from the Southern Utah keeper in ISU's 2-0 victory over the Thunderbirds. She continues to be a strong piece in the ISU offense.
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).
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.
Lia Margolis, Pingree,
Amanda Ellsworth and
Taylor Powell all scored against Carroll College. Ellsworth, a freshman, led the Bengals with five shots, three on goal while recording a goal and an assist.
KENNEY SHARES CONNECTION WITH GIBSON BEFORE IDAHO STATE
Head Coach
Allison Gibson had a connection with freshman Alyssa Kenney before she even recruited her. Gibson knew the uncle of Kenney who passed away this summer when the healthy 40-year old had a heart attack while playing soccer. Both mourned the loss and found out after the funeral that they both knew him.
WARD RETURNS FROM AFRICA
Sophomore transfer
Lanie Ward was back in the U.S. just days before the season began. Ward had been in Kenya for three weeks. Her Aunt and two of her friends started a non-profit organization called RaFIKis in Utah that works with the Ngala school for the deaf in Nakuru, Kenya. They are also working to build an orphanage in Ngata, Kenya. While in Kenya, Ward worked at the school teaching lessons, playing games and she planted 500 trees to act as a wind breaker for the future orphanage. The orphanage should be finished in the summer of 2012.
MARGOLIS IS A RETURNER CLASSIFIED AS A NEWCOMER
Lia 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"
