Pocatello, ID - There were lots of reasons to celebrate Idaho State Soccer on Sunday morning.
On a balmy, sunny day at Davis Field, the Bengals began Big Sky Conference play against Northern Colorado, with the Bears riding momentum from a statement road win over Weber State in their conference opener.
In a slugfest that featured UNC out-shooting ISU 16-12, the Bengal defense was stout once again, with redshirt freshman Trinity Hale continuing a breakout first campaign with her fifth shutout of the year by way of five saves. Hale's ratio of shutouts (.500) to matches played continues to place her atop the Big Sky.
The Bengals were lifted over the Bears by Camille Kollar sending the ball from the upper left corner to Mary Za at midfield, who threaded the needle between two defenders to catch Alyson Starbuck in stride with nothing but green grass and the goalkeeper between her. The latter would become irrelevant after Starbuck placed a shot perfectly in the top right of the goal, where no Bear could make a play on it.
Starbuck finished with the team lead in shots with 3, with
Marta Nieto and
Peyton Dion right behind her with two apiece. Despite the discrepancy in shots, both teams placed five of their total on goal.
SENIOR DAY
Following the match, in emotional fashion, seven seniors were recognized for their unique and storied careers as Idaho State Bengals.
Alyson Starbuck,
Zoe Dejardin,
Taylin Butterbaugh,
Virginia Wallace,
Marta Nieto,
Peyton Dion and
Rachel Fullmer were all recognized for their contributions to Idaho State Soccer, and celebrated for their upcoming graduation and the diplomas they earned.
BENGAL BITE
Alyson Starbuck recorded her first career ISU goal on her senior day.
UP NEXT
The Bengals continue conference play on the road at Sacramento State on Friday, Oct. 4, at 4:00pm MT. The next home match will take place on Thursday, Oct. 17, at 2pm, against Eastern Washington.
