POCATELLO, Idaho – The Idaho State soccer team earned its first win Sunday afternoon in a 2-1 overtime win against a strong Westminster College squad at Dumke Field in Salt Lake City, Utah. The game counted for ISU but served as an exhibition for Westminster which is beginning its first year of candidacy in transitioning from NAIA to NCAA Division II. With the win, Idaho State improves to 1-3 on the season.
This match was a tough test for the Bengals in so many ways. It was on the road against a very skilled Griffins team on a turf field in 90-plus degree heat. The team traveled the same day, which is nearly unheard of in college athletics, covering 170 miles before stepping on the pitch. But Head Coach
Allison Gibson welcomed the test for her young squad.
"Every factor that could really be against us, was," Gibson said. "We were looking forward to that because we want those tests, especially in nonconference to see how we respond. Win or lose, can we play well, can we fight through the mental and physical fatigue?"
The Bengals stepped up to the test and showed up composed and aggressive, controlling the ball and recording two solid shots from freshman midfielder
Nikolina Musto in the first ten minutes. Idaho State continued to pressure, and in the 21st minute sophomore forward
Maria Sanchez ran on to the assist from Musto and senior defender
Vanessa Cabilan for the breakaway score and the first goal of the match.
Though Sanchez scored the goal and Musto and Cabilan tallied the assists, the play leading up to the goal was a textbook example of an entire team effort.
"I think about six players touched the ball," Gibson said. "It was so…perfect. That right there is what we've been working so hard on in training, moving the ball from the inside to the outside, up and back. It's not for show, but to shift the defense."
Idaho State kept in control for the remainder of the half, only allowing two shots for the Griffins in the first. ISU headed into half with a 1-0 lead.
The second half was a whirlwind of shots and saves, on both sides. The Bengals out-shot Westminster 12-10, including 7-4 on goal, but the Griffins found an opening in the 83rd minute and capitalized. Junior forward Madison Roemer fired from 25 yards out just outside the grasp of senior goalkeeper
Sheridan Hapsic. A final attempt by Westminster fell short, so the squads prepared for overtime.
Overtime was all Idaho State as the Bengals recorded two shots on goal in less than three minutes and prevented the Griffins from attempting a shot. Sanchez scored the game-winner in the 93rd minute off a through ball from Musto from about 25 yards out, resulting in the immediate end of the match.
Idaho State returns to Pocatello for a few short days of practice before heading out on the road once more to battle the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 3.
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