ISU Soccer Drops 5-1 Decision to Utah Valley

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POCATELLO, Idaho – Idaho State dropped a 5-1 decision Thursday evening to Utah Valley at Clyde Field in Orem, Utah. Despite outshooting the Wolverines 17-15 for the match, the Bengals weren't able to connect and suffered their fifth loss of the season.

ISU controlled the ball to start the match, winning 50-50 balls and pressuring Utah Valley's defense, but the Wolverines broke free in the fifth minute and connected on their first shot of the game. Kasandra Anderson sent a quick cross from the right side along the goal box and Taylor Kirk fired from about 10 feet out, hitting the crossbar and falling into the back of the net.

ISU's Maria Sanchez nearly scored after she juked the goalkeeper and dribbled toward an open goal in the 26th minute, but a Utah Valley defender was able to poke the ball away before Sanchez was able to get a shot off.

Utah Valley headed into halftime with a 4-0 lead following two additional goals in the 33rd and 36th minutes.

"Our individual defending in the box just wasn't good enough tonight," Assistant Coach Chris Cogan said. "In three of the four goals [in the first half] we had better numbers and better position, and we were just was out-fought and out-muscled."

The Bengals were able to get on the scoreboard in the second half as Sanchez sent a through ball to sophomore forward Sami Rodriquez who ran on and fired a shot into the right corner in the 53rd minute for her second goal of the season.

UVU scored once more in the 71st minute for their fifth goal of the match.

"I think we're just going to continue to build tactically in what we've done over the last nine days, which is get more players involved in the attack and get support around the players that need it," Cogan said.  "For the next two games, the next ten days, it has to be about competing. It has to be about battling. It has to be about teammates being willing to take the physical risks in order to succeed."

The Bengals are back in action Sunday, Sept. 13 as they face Utah State in Logan, Utah at 1 p.m.