Soccer Opens Big Sky Play

Game Notes | Live Stats for Eastern Washington | Live Stats for Montana | Video for Montana

ABOUT THE BENGALS
ISU enters Big Sky play with a 3-4 record after dropping the final two non-conference games against Cal State Fullerton and No. 20 San Diego State.

The Bengals lead the conference in goals scored with 16 and goals per game with 2.29. Twelve of the 16 goals have come after halftime.  Six of those have come in the 71st minute or later..

They have also collected the most yellow cards with 12 or 1.71 per game

Head Coach Allison Gibson enters her ninth season as the winningest coach in Idaho State history.

ON TOP OF THE PACK
Amanda Ellsworth leads the Big Sky Conference in both goals (7) and points (15). Her hat trick against Hawaii marks just the second player in school history to talley three goals in a game. Her one goal per game average ranks seventh in the nation.

Teammate Maria Sanchez is second in the conference in both goals (5) and points (13). The freshman leads the Big Sky in assists (3), shots (26) and shots per game (3.71). She has registered a point in five of the seven games this season.

ABOUT EASTERN WASHINGTON
The Eagles enter the game with a record of 3-3 having scored at least one goal in every game this season. The teams have played one common opponent.  Idaho State beat Hawai'i 5-4 while EWU lost to the Rainbow Wahine 3-1.  Eastern Washington is second in the Big Sky in goals scored at 2.00 per game.

The EWU offense is led by Savannah Hoekstra who is fourth in the conference in goals (4). Keeper Nathalie Schwery has posted three shutouts in six games.

Idaho State leads the overall series 11-6-1 but are just 3-6-0 in Cheney.  The Bengals have never lost to Eastern at home (7-0-1). ISU won the only matchup last year in Pocatello. The Bengals earned a  1-0 victory on a Whitney Peterson second half goal.  Sheridan Hapsic earned the shutout in goal.

ABOUT MONTANA
The Grizzlies enter the weekend with a 4-5 record but are on a four-game losing streak. Both teams have played Hawai'i and Wyoming this season. Idaho State won those matchups while Montana lost each of the games.

Montana has scored 12 goals this season while allowing the same number over nine games.

The Grizzlies lead the overall series 6-9-4.  ISU is just 1-7-1 in games played in Missoula. The last three meeting have all gone into overtime.