Bengals to Conclude Regular Season With Dual Home Matchups

Pocatello, ID - The work has been put in year-round, and regardless of the result, Idaho State Soccer has seen highlights aplenty in the 2024 season.

It all has to end sometime, though, and whether that happens this Sunday or beyond, the Bengals have given everything they have on the pitch.

For ISU, the regular season is nearing its conclusion, and they have two more chances to compete with the best, both happening at home at Davis Field. The reigning Big Sky regular season champion Montana Grizzlies will travel to Pocatello for a Friday Night Lights matchup at 4:00pm on Oct. 25. The Griz have not lost a conference match in nearly two full years, bringing a fierce test for Dustin Downey and his squad.

Following the workweek skirmish, the Bengals will host the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks for the regular season finale on Sunday, Oct. 27, at 1:00pm. 

Sitting at seventh place (behind NAU) in the conference standings, the Bengals are still in contention for a postseason berth. However, some chips will need to fall the way of the orange and black in order to leap the 'Jacks and secure the second trip to the Big Sky Tournament in as many years. 

Winning out would be the surefire way for either ISU (1-3-1 conference) or NAU (2-3-1 conference) to secure a playoff berth. If NAU falls to Weber State on Friday, a win vs. the Jacks will ensure that both teams finish conference play at least 2-4-1, with the tiebreaker going the way of the Bengals for the No. 6 seed. 

All of that said, the most important match of the season is the next one, and the defending regular-season champion Montana Grizzlies are coming to town, and the Bengals aren't going away.

Scouting the Griz
Kickoff: Friday, Oct. 25, 4:00pm // Davis Field
Current Record: 10-2-4 (4-0-2 conf.)
2023 Record: 13-3-3 (7-0-1 conf.)
Last Matchup: vs. Portland State (W, 1-0)
Last Matchup vs. ISU: Oct. 8, 2023 // Missoula, MT (UM W, 1-0)
Notable Players: The Griz have two players in the Big Sky's top-3 for goals scored this season. Super Senior Jen Estes is in second place with six, and junior Chloe Seelhoff is part of a four-way tie for third with five. 
Sophomore Goalkeeper Bayliss Flynn is following Trinity Hale's example for making a statement in a player's first season as a starter, leading the conference in save percentage (.904), shutouts per game (8/11), and avg. goals allowed (.455).

Scouting the Jacks
Kickoff: Sunday, Oct. 27, 1:00pm // Davis Field
Current Record: 2-7-5 (2-3-1 conf.)
2023 Record: 11-6-3 (4-3-1 conf.)
Last Matchup: vs. Sac State (T, 1-1)
Last Matchup vs. ISU: Oct. 1, 2023 // Flagstaff, AZ (NAU W, 4-1)
Notable Players: Senior forward Haylee Phonix has accounted for nearly half of her team's goals this season, with four. Overall, the 'Jacks are a team that takes chances offensively, with four different players recording at least 17 shots in 2024. 
Senior Goalkeeper Trinity Corcoran has allowed 16 goals against 75 saves, playing in every game this season and starting all but one.