POCATELLO, Idaho – Idaho State (2-14, 1-8 BSC) battled until the final horn in a 5-3 loss to Weber State (9-4-4, 7-1-1 BSC) as the 2018 season came to an end at Davis Field. The Bengals had 421 fans on their feet as the offense recorded three goals, the highest output in a conference game for ISU this season.
Idaho State's four seniors turned in the strongest performances to bookend their careers Friday night.
"They fight every day, every training and every game on and off the field," said Head Coach Allison Gibson. "They fight with everything they have. For four years they've fought so hard for this team and program. We're going to miss them. They've been literally four cornerstones of this program and I couldn't be more proud of them all season and throughout their careers."
Tristen Spooner led the team with two goals on six attempts and had three shots on goal. Meaghan Bare opened the scoring for ISU in the 27th minute of play.
Kenya Sherman tallied an assist on Spooner's first goal and Brittany Garrett negated several attacks with solo efforts. Garrett kept the game close while Bare, Spooner and Sherman willed the Bengals to claw back into the game from a 4-1 deficit in the second half. League-leading Weber State did not tack on the fifth goal until 21 ticks remained on the clock.
Morgan Quarnberg opened the scoring just six minutes into the game with her sixth goal of the season.
Idaho State responded with a shot attempt by Johnston in the 27th minute. The attempt found its way to the foot of Bare, who chipped the ball into the top shelf of the goal to even the game.
Things began to look bleak as Weber State took a commanding 4-1 lead with three unanswered goals. In the 61st minute, Sherman brought the ball into the ISU offensive half near the sideline. With several fakes and some mesmerizing footwork, she was able to shake free of two pursing defenders.
She crossed the ball just in front of the goal where Spooner headed it past the keeper for WSU. It was just the second goal of her career. Number 22 was not finished there, as she worked her way into the goal box again and beat the goalie to the right side to pull the Bengals within one.
"I knew it wasn't over," Spooner said. "After the second one I thought we had it. I actually did. I had a couple opportunities again in the box and couldn't put them away as they just barely missed, but we definitely had it. We owned that team possession wise and physically and we were all over them completely, the entire game."
Idaho State had some late chances, but Weber State limited the Bengals as they began to kill the clock. With all ISU players attempting to net the equalizer, WSU's Quarnberg was able to streak upfield and put the finishing goal past Hogarth with just seconds remaining.
Makena Bambei had another productive night with four shots, two on goal. Bare, Lauren McGahie and Rachel Brownell each had three shots with one attempt on goal. Karlin Wurlitzer, Brooke Kortekaas and Delaney Johnston all had one shot, and Johnston recorded her first career assist.
Katie Hogarth played the full 90 with Spooner, Bambei, Bare, Smith, Sherman and Garrett. The junior collected four saves on the night and got some help from Garrett, who contributed a team save.
Idaho State had several scoring opportunities with 23 shots to Weber State's 17. The Wildcats had two more shots on goal with 10 in the game while both teams tallied five saves.
ISU generated seven corner kicks and limited WSU to three. The Bengals also kept a clean record in terms of offside calls while the Wildcats reached 11.
The Bengals will look to polish their games in the spring and build upon the young talent featured this season. Among the rising young stars is Johnston, who led the team in goals and points with four and nine respectively. Also in that group is Wurlitzer (16 GP), Delaney Uyeshiro (13 GP) and Lauren Bollinger (14 GP).
"I definitely see the progress," Spooner said. "I think that this team here and what they have going for them and the girls that are left behind have the potential to really bring this entire team back around."
For Gibson, the future begins with the embodiment of her four seniors' play.
"It starts by picking up where these guys left off today," Gibson said. "Play with heart and play with passion and pride."
