Gallery: (10-23-2022) ISU vs UNC - Senior Day
POCATELLO, Idaho – The Snow and blustery weather stayed away just long enough for the Bengals of Idaho State to end the 2022 Soccer season on a high note taking down the UNC Bears for their last win of the season.
From the starting whistle, Idaho State did what it had been unable to accomplish this season, control a match from start to finish.
In the first half, it was apparent that the Bengals were here to play. It was senior day in Pocatello and the Orange and Black were not going to let down the four departing Bengals.
For those first 45 minutes, the Bengals were relentless, pressing the attack all 45 minutes with 14 shots while holding the Bears to only seven shots.
Though the Bengals had multiple looks at goal in the half, they were unable to convert and the two teams headed into the locker room knotted up at 0-0.
The Bengals came out in the second half ready to finish what they started. Just as they had in the first half, the offense took over the match for ISU.
15 minutes into the 2nd period, Emerson Grafton took control of the ball around midfield and the Bengal Forward was on a mission. Grafton took the ball straight up the gut of the UNC defense, powering past the backline defenders and launching a rocket off of her right foot that sailed past the UNC keeper into the right corner of the net. The Bengals celebrated the goal and went back to work with a 1-0 lead but 30 minutes still remaining on the clock.
Minutes later, the Bengals looked to score their 2nd goal of the match, Meagan Tamashiro launched a ball at the net, but after ricocheting off of the crossbar and the goal line, the UNC defenders were able to clear the ball and keep the score at 1-0 heading into the final 10 minutes of the match.
The Bengals were still looking to secure some win insurance and were just waiting for the next Bengal to step up. That happened in the 81st minute when Jordyn Roth put her body on the line for the team and the Bengals victory.
After a cross by Tamashiro, Roth was in position for a header at the goal, but only one thing stood in her way, the UNC keeper. Roth, seeing the oncoming keeper, had the decision to either go for the header and the goal putting her body on the line, or step out of the way.
Roth didn't flinch
As she leapt to head the ball, the UNC keeper went full-body into Roth tackling her to the ground. It was too late though, Roth's ball sailed into the net and the Bengals celebrated a well-earned 2nd goal.
The Bengal defense took over for the remainder of the match and held on for the 2-0 senior day victory.
Idaho State finished the season winning two of the final four matches and scoring in five straight after suffering a six-match shutout drought.
The Bengals offense put on a show in Pocatello, recording 25 shots, the most for any ISU team since the 2017 season.
Kylee Atkins, in her final game in goal, grabbed six saves and secured the Bengals' shutout victory.
While the Bengals would rather still be playing in the Big Sky Tournament, the Orange and Black ends the 2022 season on a high note and signs of what this Bengal squad is going to be able to accomplish in years to come.
