POCATELLO, Idaho – The Idaho State Bengals went into Nashville, TN and took down the defending ASUN Champions Lipscomb 1-0 Sunday afternoon.
The Bengals got on the board early in the game after Karlin Wurlitzer took a free kick where Gabby Warta and Kaylyn Buchanan pressured the Bison into committing an own goal.
The Bengal defense then stepped up, holding off multiple Bison attack and maintaining the lead for the remaining 90 minutes. The Bengal defense played lights out for all 90 minutes. Not only were they able to make timely clears and headers, but the team showed it's increasing maturity, holding onto the ball and progressing downfield after the defense made a stop.
Coach Downey on the Match
"There were a lot of really great things that took place this weekend in Nashville," remarked Head Coach Dustin Downey.
"Yes, we got two good results, but this team was also able to have an overall really great student-athlete experience. They spent a lot of time together at team meals, in the hotel, on the bus, at the airport. They toured Nashville, experienced The Ryman Auditorium, and got to see a part of the country a lot of them have never experienced before. Just as much as the results, I'm happy they got to experience something new, and experience that together. Those are the moments they will remember most!
As far as the games go, we went up against two really solid teams. One led by my friend Kim McGowan, who's working hard to take her team and get them prepared for new experiences in the ASun. I'm really excited for her and to see what success she brings to Austin Peay. They were a team that battled and competed for 90 minutes, and so were we. While we would have liked to have won, I think 0-0 was fitting, but I've already watched game film back from that and had we been better technically, we would have given ourselves a better chance to come away with a win.
While Kim is just getting started, my friend Kevin O'Brien at Lipscomb once stood where Kim and I are now, and he's done a fantastic job building an ASun dynasty there! I knew going into that match against Lipscomb we'd have to be very organized and disciplined in our tactics. The girls did an outstanding job of doing just that, and it earned them another positive result.
Everyone contributed to our results this weekend. It was a complete team effort, and I couldn't be prouder of their efforts this weekend. However, we have to stay hungry!! We can't be satisfied with what we're doing. Time to get back to training this week and prepare for another tough opponent in Utah Valley, with an expectation of going on the road again and finding a way to get some points."
Bengal Bites
· Five different Bengals recorded shots in the match, Karlin Wurlitzer led the team with two total and one on goal.
· In her first start of the season in goal, Kylee Atkins recorded 4 saves and finished the game with her first career shutout with the Bengals
· The win is the first ISU career wins for Head Coach Dustin Downey and Assistant Jack Curtain
· This was just the second shut out win for the Bengals since the 2018 season.
Social Bites
Next Up
Next week, the Bengals return to the mountain west for a pair of clashes with foes from the state of Utah. First Saturday, Sept. 3 the Bengals are in Orem to take on the UVU Wolverines. Then, The Orange and Black head south to St. George to face off with the Utah Tech Trailblazers on Friday, Sept. 9
Follow the Bengals
Follow along at ISUBengals.com to keep up to date with the team. Fans can also follow the Bengals on social media (Twitter: @IdahoStateSoccr | Instagram:@BengalSoccer | Facebook:@BengalSoccer)
