POCATELLO, Idaho – Idaho State (1-4) secured its first victory of the season with a double-overtime thriller at Davis Field Saturday afternoon. The Bengals defeated Utah State (1-3) 5-4 in another high-scoring affair after
Rachel Brownell headed in the game-winning goal in the 106th minute of play.
"Today was such big game for them and that result for them is so huge because it proves they can play with anyone," said Head Coach
Allison Gibson. "I mean Utah State is a tremendous team and we haven't beat them in a few years, so for them to do that today, after this week, was the icing on the cake."
Brooke Kortekaas,
Meaghan Bare,
Corinne Sanderson,
Delaney Johnston and Brownell all secured one goal for the Bengals.
Paige Smith,
Tristen Spooner and Kortekaas each provided an assist during the match.
Bare and Kortekaas led Idaho State with four shots apiece and seven players collected a shot on goal.
Laule'a Akana-Phillips earned her first career victory in goal after making 14 saves and facing 32 shots. Her 14 saves rank third all-time and her 32 shots faced rank second all-time on ISU's single game records list.
"The kids never gave up today and I just have chills watching them," Gibson said. "It's just incredible. I think [they're] finally believing and trusting in each other."
Idaho State brought pressure on offense early and often. Just four minutes into the game, Kortekaas was able to draw two defenders low before crossing to the left. Her pass found Bare a yard in front of the net, and the senior tapped the ball in for her first goal of the year. It was the fifth net of her career, and she has now scored at least one goal in every season.
Kortekaas did not wait long before bringing the crowd to its feet once again. The junior brought the ball up the center of the field and juked, causing her defender to slip. She shot to the short side on the left and bounced in the first goal of her season off the post. The goal was unassisted and the sixth of her career.
Akana-Phillips recorded the first shutout half for Idaho State, making four saves in the first.
Utah State came out of the break hot with freshman Sara Noel netting two unassisted goals on the left side. Idaho State lost the lead in the 74th minute of play after Ashley Cardozo crossed to the front of the net and Hallee Jones tapped in the go-ahead goal for a 3-2 lead.
Idaho State's Johnston evened the game five minutes later after heading to the corner. The freshman's kick tailed towards the goal and was punched out by USU's Grace McGuire on a dive. Johnston followed her shot from the corner and netted her second goal in as many games.
Sanderson struck five minutes later to regain the lead for Idaho State at 4-3. The first goal of Sanderson's career came from the head of Smith in the 84th minute of play.
Utah State's Noel wasn't finished though, as the Aggie tallied a hat trick after beating Akana-Phillips near the top of the penalty box in the 88th minute and sent the game to overtime.
The first overtime was uncharacteristically calm with the exception of a ball rolling to ISU's goal line before being cleared by
Delaney Uyeshiro.
In the 105th minute, Utah State committed a foul, giving Idaho State the ball just inside the midfield line. Spooner punched the kick to the top right corner of the goal box and Brownell headed the ball over the leaping keeper for the Aggies. Her first-career goal secured the victory for Idaho State after 106 minutes of play.
"It feels awesome," Brownell said. "It's a chance for us to really turn our season around and kick start it and get it going and keep the wins coming. I think everybody worked super hard and contributed to our great victory."
Utah State outshot Idaho State 32-17 and recorded 18 shots on goal. They also held the advantage in corner kicks at 12-2, but were plagued by six offside calls. McGuire made two saves and allowed five goals during the game.
"They've played against every team in our schedule," Gibson said. "Whether it was 20 minutes or 30 minutes or 40 minutes, you know, they've had moments that they've played tremendous soccer and then it has just fallen off. So I told them that is 100 percent mental and 100 percent in your heart."
The Bengals return to Davis Field to face South Dakota State next Thursday, Sept. 13.
