POCATELLO, Idaho – The Idaho State soccer team (4-5-3, 1-1-1 Big Sky) continues its Big Sky Conference slate this week with a two-match stretch, beginning Thursday, October 9, against Sacramento State (6-7-1, 2-1-1 Big Sky) at Davis Field. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. The Bengals will then travel north to face Montana (7-3-3, 1-1-2 Big Sky) in Missoula on Sunday, October 12 at 2 p.m. MT.
Idaho State enters the weekend fresh off a 1-0 home win over Portland State, led by Isabella Winton's game-winner and another clean sheet from Hannah Wieler, who now ranks fourth in the Big Sky with four shutouts. The Bengals have paced opposing teams in shot attempts, dead even at 150–150 through 12 matches, and continue to be one of the the league leaders in assists per game (1.33).
Matchup: Sacramento State (6-7-1, 2-1-1 Big Sky)
The Hornets arrive in Pocatello on a high note after a 5-0 win over Eastern Washington last Sunday, their largest offensive output of the year. Sacramento State sits near the top of the Big Sky standings, outscoring league opponents 7–3.
Offensively, the Hornets are balanced with four players scoring multiple goals. Lexi Schroeder and Tea Reyes each have three goals, while Micaela Romo and Jaety Mandaquit have added two apiece. Goalkeeper Izzy Palmatier has been one of the conference's most consistent performers, posting a 1.14 goals-against average, .821 save percentage, and five shutouts — tied for second in the league.
Sacramento State averages 1.14 goals per match on 11.4 shots and ranks third in the Big Sky in shutouts (5). The Hornets have gone 3-1 away from home this season.
Matchup: at Montana (7-3-3, 1-1-2 Big Sky)
Montana stands as one of the Big Sky's most complete teams, boasting the league's top-ranked defense (0.69 goals allowed per game) and one of its most dynamic attacks. The Grizzlies have outscored opponents 22–9 overall and rank second in both total goals and assists.
Chloe Seelhoff leads Montana and the Big Sky in points (18), pairing seven goals with four assists. She's supported by Maddie Ditta (5 goals) and Eliza Bentler (3 goals), giving the Grizzlies three of the league's top-15 scorers. In goal, Ashlyn Dvorak has five shutouts, a .821 save percentage, and a 0.64 GAA — both ranking among the top three in the conference.
Montana is 6-1-1 at home this season, with wins over Washington State and Gonzaga already on its résumé.
Bengal Leaders
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#15 Mary Za – Team-high 8 points (3 goals, 2 assists); ranks top-10 in Big Sky scoring.
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#12 Talia Coury – Three goals and 15 shots; tied with Za for team lead in goals.
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#1 Saydree Cooke – Two goals, three assists; top-10 in Big Sky shots per game (2.45).
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#6 Isabella Winton – Leads the Big Sky in assists per game (0.43), with one goal and three assists in seven appearances.
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#00 Hannah Wieler – 1.10 GAA, .759 save pct., and four shutouts (4th in Big Sky).
Series History
vs. Sacramento State: Idaho State leads 13-9-5 (Home: 6-3-4, Away: 7-6-1, Big Sky: 13-7-3, Big Sky Tournament: 0-0-1)
Recent Results:
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10/04/2024 – at Sacramento State – L, 1-4
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10/15/2023 – vs Sacramento State – T, 1-1
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10/09/2022 – at Sacramento State – W, 1-0
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10/17/2021 – vs Sacramento State – L, 0-1
vs. Montana: Montana leads 17-8-4 (Home: 4-6-3, Away: 1-11-1, Neutral: 3-0-0, Big Sky: 8-16-4, Big Sky Tournament: 3-0-1 [Advanced on PKs])
Recent Results:
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10/25/2024 – vs Montana – L, 0-2
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10/08/2023 – at Montana – L, 0-1
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10/21/2022 – vs Montana – L, 1-2
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10/06/2019 – at Montana – L, 1-2
The last time Idaho State earned a positive result against Montana was in 2017, when the Bengals defeated the Grizzlies 1-0 in Pocatello.
By the Numbers
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Idaho State ranks 6th in the Big Sky in scoring offense (1.00 goals/game).
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The Bengals' 1.08 goals-against average ranks 4th in the league.
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ISU sits 2nd in assists per game (1.33) and 5th in corner kicks (4.75/game).
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Mary Za and Talia Coury are tied for 9th in the Big Sky with 3 goals each.
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Hannah Wieler is 5th in GAA (1.10) and 4th in shutouts (4).
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Isabella Winton leads the Big Sky in assists per game (0.43).
How to Follow
Thursday, Oct. 9 vs Sacramento State
3 p.m. MT | Davis Field | Stream: ESPN+ | Live Stats
Sunday, Oct. 12 at Montana
12 p.m. MT | South Campus Stadium | Stream: ESPN+ | Live Stats
Bengal Bites
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The Bengals have recorded three shutouts in their last four matches.
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ISU's 12 assists this season are already more than double their total at this point last year.
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Idaho State has allowed one goal or fewer in nine of 12 matches.
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ISU is 3-3-2 at Davis Field this year and has outscored opponents 8–6 at home.
Up Next
Idaho State travels to Northern Colorado on Friday, October 17th, before going to Flagstaff, AZ where the Bengals will have a date with Northern Arizona on Sunday, October 19th.
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