Perfect Homecoming for Ellsworth Once Again

By Matt Gittins, ISU Sports Information

SACRAMENTO, California – The Big Sky Conference's leading scorer Amanda Ellsworth found the back of the net twice including the game winner in overtime to lead Idaho State (3-3, 6-7) past Sacramento State Sunday afternoon at Hornet Stadium.

Ellsworth knocked in a corner kick from Maria Sanchez just over a minute into the extra session to earn the Bengals three road points. It's her 11th goal of the season and her fourth game-winner.

"Like I have said before Amanda did what she always does," Head Coach Allison Gibson said. "If the keeper takes her eyes off the ball for one second she is there."

The senior reached her career high for goals in a season early in the second half as she collected a pass from Lauren Bermudez to give the Bengals the then 2-1 lead. The 11 goals in 2014 tie her with Stacey Peterson (2002) for most goals in a season in Idaho State history.  

The Bengals bounced back from two tough home losses to pick up a victory that keeps them in the Big Sky playoff race.  It was a moment following the loss to Portland State on Friday that sticks out in Coach Gibson's mind from her senior leader.

"She (Ellsworth) had the team out in the middle of the field after the game," Gibson said. "I couldn't hear what she was saying because I was doing the post-game radio interview but I could hear her getting very vocal. I figured she was getting on them to raise their level. I found out later that she had told them she had let them down and promised to do everything she could for her team moving forward. She told them they were going to get the win in Sacramento."

The native of nearby Roseville, California lived up to those promises, leading Idaho State over the team that passed on recruiting her out of high school. In the four games against Sacramento State during her college career, Ellsworth has led the Bengals to four victories and scored seven goals including the game-winner in each match.

"This game has always been special to her," Gibson said. "I think it's speaks volumes to the competitor that she is. I told Amanda to just find her way into the six yard box because she is the best player I have ever coached in that area.  It was so fitting to see her score the game winner from that exact area today."

Maria Sanchez got the scoring started for Idaho State 14 minutes into the match. It's the freshman's sixth goal this season. Keeper Sheridan Hapsic made a season high nine saves.

The Bengals have four matches left in the regular season. They travel to Moscow to take on the University of Idaho Sunday October 19.