Balanced Attack Propels Bengals Past North Dakota State, 3-1

POCATELLO, Idaho – Idaho State delivered a complete team performance Thursday night at Davis Field, riding goals from three different players and another composed defensive effort to a 3-1 victory over North Dakota State.

It was the Bengals' first win of the 2025 season and a convincing statement about their growth and cohesion. After a dramatic last-minute equalizer against Boise State five days earlier, Idaho State needed no such drama this time. The Bengals controlled the tempo, finished their chances, and continued developing their identity under head coach Dustin Downey.

"We knew they were the Summit League champs last year, so the group understood they had to lock in and execute the game plan," Downey said. "I was really happy with how they played. When we're clicking, we're clicking, and that is fun to watch."

Sophomore defender Talia Coury opened the scoring in the 17^th minute, continuing her early-season surge with a header off a set piece delivered by Isabella Winton. It was Coury's second goal in as many matches, again flashing her aerial instincts and presence in the box.

Winton, who was everywhere on the field tonight, pulled the strings from midfield and ended the night with three assists, tying her for 2nd most in a single game in Idaho State soccer history. She played wide, deep, and even up top at times, in a performance that Downey called "an unsung hero moment."

"For the last three years, we haven't taken her off the field," Downey said. "She deserves to be out there, and she earned a night like this. I nominated her for preseason all-conference, and I think tonight showed why."

Idaho State doubled its lead in the 56^th minute when Saydree Cooke combined with Winton and Mary Za to cap off a fluid attacking sequence. Cooke's finish in the top right corner of the goal, over the outstretched arms of the keeper, marked her first goal of the season and reflected the attacking intent Idaho State carried into both halves.

North Dakota State responded ten minutes later with a highlight-reel strike from Mikayla Carkhuff that briefly cut the deficit to one. But true to form, the Bengals answered quickly. Just four minutes after the Bison goal, junior defender Sam Steele, buried a shot off the top right post, and into the back of the net to push the score to 3-1, and secure the victory.

"That goal by them was a fantastic strike," Downey said. "Credit to her [Carkhuff]. Not much more our defense or goalkeeper could have done. But I loved how we responded. We didn't dwell, we moved on to the next play and got another one ourselves."

Idaho State outshot North Dakota State 13-8 and had a 7-5 edge in shots on target. Twelve Bengals logged double-digit minutes off the bench, and the team's ability to maintain tempo and energy across rotations was evident.

"I talked to the team at halftime about energy, not tactics," Downey said. "We had to reduce those lulls, and that's where the bench plays a big role. Their job is to lift the team in those moments, and they did."

Freshman goalkeeper Hannah Wieler made four saves and earned her first collegiate win, anchoring a back line that once again looked ahead of schedule despite its youth.

"I thought our back line was pretty stingy," Downey said. "They made it hard for North Dakota State's forwards to find anything easy. That's a big step forward."

The win moves Idaho State to 1-0-1 on the season heading into a Sunday afternoon matchup with CSU Bakersfield, also at home. Downey said the goal now is to enjoy the moment and then refocus. "You enjoy these small victories, then put your head down and prepare," he said. "We know Sunday's going to be a battle. That team is going to bring it, so we've got to be ready to bring our A-game again."

Next Up
Idaho State returns to Davis Field on Sunday, August 24^th, to host CSU Bakersfield. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.

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Bengal Bites

• The win improves Idaho State's All-Time record to 2-0-1 vs. North Dakota State
   
• Talia Coury notched her second goal of the season, 3^rd of her career.
   
• Samantha Steele scored her 1^st career goal
   
• Saydree Cooke got back in the scoring column for the first time since 2023, following a season ending injury in early 2024. This marks Cooke's 6^th career goal, and first of this season

• Isabella Winton recorded her 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th career assists tonight. The 3 assists ties her for the 2^nd most Assists in a game by a single player in ISU history
   
• Debuts: Freshmen Laney Erickson, Parker Sullivan, and Victoria Choren made their collegiate debuts
   
• Yellow Cards: ISU – Cromie (44'), NDSU – Zacher (17') & NDSU Asst. Coach (72')

 
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