Game Notes |
Live StatsPOCATELLO, Idaho – The Idaho State soccer team hits the road for the first time this season as it heads to Irvine, Calif. to take on the Anteaters of UC Irvine. This will be the first meeting between two squads and the second game of the season for each.
LAST MATCH: ISU DROPS HOME AND SEASON OPENER TO MISSOURI STATE 2-1In the first match of the season, the Bengals fell to Missouri Valley Conference foe Missouri State. The Bears were on the board early, scoring the first goal of the match less than two minutes into play. Alix Opfer was able to tap in a 10-footer off the cross from Brooke Prondzinski for her first goal of the season.
Idaho State evened up the score in the second half, as sophomore forward
Maria Sanchez was able to capitalize on an error by Missouri State's goalie Jessica Perry in the 65th minute. The Bengals were not able control the Bears over the last 15 minutes as Opfer once again connected on a crossed ball to score the game-winning goal with just over 13 minutes left to play.
Missouri State outshot the Bengals 15-14, nine of which came in the second half for the Bears. Senior goalkeeper
Sheridan Hapsic was able to record four saves in 90 minutes of play.
ABOUT UC IRVINEThe Anteaters bring an entirely new roster to the 2015 season. The squad of 32 players features 20 underclassmen, 13 new players and three transfers. UC Irvine finished the 2014 season in tied for fifth in the Big West, and they were picked to finish fourth this season in the preseason poll that was released Aug. 12.
UC Irvine returns 15 letterwinners from last year's squad, most notably second team all-conference defender Clarissa Robles. Midfielder Alex Karlowitsch was named all-conference honorable mention and forward Kiana Palacios was named to the all-freshman team.
In their first match last Friday, the Anteaters fell to Auburn 1-0. UC Irvine was unable to get a shot off in the first half, and Auburn capitalized off a free kick seconds before the end of the first half to take the lead. Auburn's Kala Faulkner blasted a high lob that bounced through the box to Charlotte Van Ishoven who headed the game-winning goal past goalkeeper Corey Tobin.
For the Anteaters, Karlowitsch was the lone player to fire a shot on goal.
Head Coach Scott Juniper is in his ninth season at the helm of the UC Irvine program. Juniper is 91-55-18 overall at UC Irvine, and he led the 'Eaters to two NCAA tournament appearances in 2010 and 2011.
LOOKING FORWARDThe Bengals look to capitalize on their first nonconference road match of the season at UC Irvine and even their record. The Bengals will be back at home next Friday, August 28 at Davis Field as they face CSU Fullerton at 4 p.m.
