CORVALLIS, Oregon – With time winding down and Idaho State trailing Oregon State on the road, junior forward
Stephanie Roper found the moment and made it count.
Roper buried the equalizer in the 90th minute off a sharp assist from
Saydree Cooke, salvaging a 1-1 draw for the Bengals against Oregon State Thursday evening at Paul Lorenz Field. The result kept Idaho State undefeated at 2-0-2, extending the program's best start since 2012.
"I'm really proud of the way our team battled tonight," said assistant coach Adam Nerio. "It was a hard-fought 1-1 draw, and while we always want to find a way to get the win, I thought we showed a lot of toughness and composure to respond and stay in the game. Performances like this give us something to keep building on."
The Beavers struck first in the 25th minute when Rin Choi curled a shot into the net for a 1-0 lead. Idaho State responded with patience and defensive discipline, holding Oregon State scoreless for the final 65 minutes while steadily increasing pressure in the final third.
Trailing 1-0 in the closing moments, the Bengals generated a late push that culminated in a clean connection between Cooke and Roper. Cooke's final pass cut through Oregon State's back line, and Roper calmly buried her first goal of the season to tie the match with just 51 seconds left in regulation.
It marked the second time this season that Idaho State has struck in the final minute to secure a draw. In the season opener against Boise State,
Talia Coury headed home the tying goal in the 90th minute. That same clutch identity showed up again—this time on the road.
"Steph was excellent tonight—she stepped up in big moments and made a real impact for us," Nerio added. "I also want to credit our midfield for the work they put in to control stretches of the game, and our back line for staying organized under pressure. It was a true team effort."
Idaho State limited Oregon State to just three shots on target and earned a 7-4 edge in corner kicks despite holding only 46 percent possession. Freshman goalkeeper
Hannah Wieler made two saves, improving her record to 2-0-2 while continuing a steady debut season in net.
The match was physical as well. Oregon State committed 12 fouls, while Idaho State picked up two yellow cards, but the Bengals stayed composed in the final stretch and avoided mistakes in dangerous areas.
Roper's goal not only preserved the unbeaten start, but gave the Bengals another momentum-building result in what is quickly becoming one of the program's most confident early-season runs over the last two decades.
Idaho State now turns its attention to another West Coast test as the Bengals travel north to face Seattle U on Sunday.
Bengal Bites – August 29 at Oregon State
- ⚽ Roper's Rescue: Junior forward Steph Roper scored her first goal of the season in the 90th minute to rescue a road draw against a WCC opponent.
- 🧠 Cooke the Creator: Redshirt-Junior forward Saydree Cooke delivered the game-tying assist, her second assist of the season, and now has a point in back-to-back matches.
- 📈 Still Unbeaten: Idaho State improved to 2-0-2, extending its best start since 2012 and its longest unbeaten streak to open a season in over a decade.
- ⏱️ Dramatic Timing: ISU has now scored two game-tying goals in the final minute this season—Roper's at 89:09 vs Oregon State and Coury's at 89:08 vs Boise State.
- 🧤 Wieler Holds Firm: Freshman goalkeeper Hannah Wieler made 2 saves and has now allowed just 3 goals across her first 4 collegiate matches.
- 🧱 Defensive Grit: ISU held Oregon State to just 3 shots on goal and earned a 7-4 edge in corner kicks, while holding the Beavers scoreless for the final 65 minutes.
Up Next: Idaho State travels to Seattle U for a Sunday afternoon matchup on Sunday, Aug. 31
st. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. MT.
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