POCATELLO, Idaho – Idaho State Soccer picked up its first Big Sky Conference win against the Sacramento State Hornets Sunday afternoon in Sacramento, California, battling to a 1-0 victory over the Hornets.
The Bengals' win stops an eight-game skid and is the Bengals' first win over the Hornets since 2014.
Right from the opening kickoff, the Bengals controlled the match for the first 45 minutes of play. Bengal midfielder Jordyn Roth led the attack for the first 45 recording three shots and one on goal that was just grabbed by the Hornet keeper.
The Bengals showed their team strength through the first half with shots also by Emerson Grafton, Aisley Allen, Deborah Pond and Peyton Dion.
The Bengal defense held strong though, holding the Hornets to only four total shots and not allowing Sacramento State a single shot on goal.
The Second half saw the hornets surge back, desperately trying to break the 0-0 stalemate on their senior day, but the Bengal defense held tough. Any time the hornets tried to push, the Bengal backline held their ground and did not allow Sacramento's offense to gain any ground.
The Bengal defense was so staggering, the Hornets only had one shot on goal the entire match, with 30 seconds left a desperation shot that was easily brought in safe by Kelsey Jargstorf.
With 25 minutes remaining in the match, the Bengals worked together to break the stalemate and take a 1-0 lead in the match.
The goal started with Karlin Wurlitzer corralling the ball around midfield, she then booted the ball downfield where Gabby Warta was waiting to receive it.
Warta, now looking to cross the ball first had to get past the Hornet defender who put up a very physical challenge on the Bengal forward. Warta didn't blink, absolutely bowling over the Sac State defender to cross the ball right into the box.
Multiple Bengals were waiting for the ball, but it was Kaylyn Buchanan who connected with the cross and put it to the back of the net for her first career goal for the Orange and Black.
After the celebrations ended, the Bengals go back to work almost connecting on another three goals and the Bengal defense continued to absolutely stifle the Hornets' attempt at an equalizer.
At the 90-minute whistle, the Bengals were victorious, picking up their first Big Sky Conference win of the year.
