MISSOULA, Montana - The Big Sky Conference's highest scoring team waited late in the game to strike but had just enough for another come from behind victory, winning 2-1 in double overtime at Eastern Washington.
Katherine Roberts scored in the 80th minute to tie the game and then in the 108th to help the Bengals pick up the road victory. ISU has now scored eight of their 18 goals on the season in the 71st minute or later.
"We actually subbed her (Roberts) out after the first 25 minutes," Head Coach
Allison Gibson said.
She explained that Roberts wasn't winning the ball like they needed so they brought her out of the game. Coach Gibson says she got on her team at the break to pick up their energy and ISU responded.
"She (Roberts) just started to dominate," Gibson said. "She's just a great kid to rise to the challenge and that's exactly what she did in the second half."
Eastern Washington got the first chance of the game, earning a penalty kick in the 16th minute. Keeper
Sheridan Hapsic was up for the challenge turning away forward Chloe Williams's attempt.
Williams didn't have to wait long for her next chance finding the back of the net three minutes later to give the home team a 1-0 lead at the break
ISU managed just two shots in the first half but after the break and the half time talk from Gibson, the script changed completely. The Bengals outshot the Eagles 11-2 in the second half finally breaking through for the equalizer with 10 minutes left in regulation.
Lauren Bermudez beat her defender on the end line and played a ball into the box.
Katherine Roberts got on the end of the pass and looped a shot over the keeper and under the bar to send the game into overtime.
"That shot hung up in the air forever," Gibson said.
The extra session saw both teams with chances to end the game. The home team got the first opportunity on a long strike from Cassie Black. Keeper
Sheridan Hapsic collected one of her six saves, deflecting the ball away at the last moment.
"She (Hapsic) played really well," Gibson said. "She had a couple of great reaction saves. She is just gaining confidence more and more each game."
With both teams exhausted Coach Gibson once again implored her team to push forward.
"I told them let's just try to get one decent play out of this," Gibson said.
With just minutes left in the game the Bengals would answer the call again.
Whitney Peterson beat her defender into the attacking zone. After her first serves was deflected, she cut back and whipped a second ball towards the net with her right foot.
"I yelled at Kat, 'Get there, finish this game off,'" Gibson said.
Roberts connected on the pass finishing it into the back of the net and giving Idaho State their first Big Sky Conference win.
"We just can't ever give up. We have to stay patient with the process and keep believing in it," Gibson said.
It's just the ninth time in program history and fifth time under Coach Gibson the Bengals have won a game after trailing at halftime, but it's the second time they have done so this season.
"It tells me they are seeing the game all the way through," Gibson said. "It ignites the fight in them. They never stop working. It talks about the character of this team. It's what I love about this team."
Idaho State continues their road trip Sunday afternoon with a match against Montana. The last three contests with the Grizzlies have gone into overtime. Game time is scheduled for one p.m. Sunday afternoon in Missoula.
HIGHLIGHTS COURTESY EWU ATHLETICS We Are Your Bengals
