POCATELLO, Idaho - The current Idaho State soccer team scored a goal in each half and held off a late charge to defeat their former teammates 2-1 in the annual Alumni Game held at Davis Field on Saturday afternoon.
Junior forward Amanda Ellsworth and sophomore midfielder Whitney Peterson each scored a goal and an assist to lead the Bengals.
Former Bengal star Natalie Graham (2004-07) scored the lone goal for the Alums and had five shots with two on goal.
Head Coach Allison Gibson is pleased with the progress of her team at this point in the season, but it is hard to show patience when the first game of the season with Boise State is less than two weeks away.
"We're three days into the season but pretty soon, 13 days, we have our first game," Gibson said. "We're trying to fast-forward the process. We've got to get over the mental mistakes and work on the important things."
Ellsworth, the 2012 Big Sky Offensive Co-Player of the Year, picked up where she left off last season and scored the first goal of the game in the sixteenth minute off a Peterson assist.
Peterson, a Boise State transfer, scored in the 42nd minute off of an assist by Ellsworth and freshman forward Jessica Sanchez.
Peterson has been stellar in just her first week as a Bengal and Gibson is not surprised. She recruited the Meridian native heavily before she chose to go to BSU.
"She played very well, that was one of the things that I was most excited to see," Gibson said. "I recruited her early on and I knew how dangerous she could be five years ago. We're excited just to have her as a Bengal."
She will go a long way to replace the graduated seniors, which was evident by the skill of the opposition.
Four members of last season's Big Sky Championship squad were on the Alum team including Rachel Kirkham (Strawn), Anna Pingree, Morgan Pauni (Olson) and Laura Perez.
The contrast with last year's Alumni Game, a 7-0 Bengal win, may be the best way to illustrate the talent of the graduating seniors.
Gibson knew what kind of challenge this year's Alum team would give the current players and she was grateful for the opportunity to test her team.
"I knew that team would give us a challenge," Gibson said. "I coached every one of the players on that team so I know what kind of players they are and what they were going to bring to the game. I was excited to challenge the girls this early on."
One Bengal player that impressed Gibson was Century High School product Katherine Roberts. Roberts had two shots with one on goal Saturday but she is showing just as much in practice.
"She is one of the best recruits that we have brought in to our program," Gibson said. "I thought she would take a while to adjust to the speed of the college game but she has taken her skills to a whole new level. Right now she is the one setting the tone in the midfield. "
The Bengals are right back in preseason action with an exhibition game against Salt Lake Community College 4 p.m. Tuesday at Davis Field.
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