CHENEY, Washington – Idaho State women's soccer opened Big Sky Conference play Thursday afternoon with a strong road performance, battling Eastern Washington to a 0-0 draw at the EWU Sports & Recreation Soccer Field.

The Bengals held the advantage for much of the afternoon against an Eastern Washington squad that entered conference play with a 6-2-1 record, the best non-conference mark in the Big Sky. Idaho State outshot the Eagles 12-7 and limited EWU to just one shot on goal over 90 minutes as Aliya Garrett and the Bengal back line secured the clean sheet. 

"This is one of the harder road trips in conference play, and to come away with a point on the road to start conference against a quality EWU team is a good point," Idaho State head coach Dustin Downey said. "Our team competed well and stuck with our game plan."

Idaho State came out as the aggressor, with Saydree Cooke recording the first shot of the match less than a minute after kickoff. Samantha Fenske followed with the first shot on goal in the 13th minute, forcing Eastern Washington goalkeeper Payton Hyde into an early save. 

The Bengals continued to apply pressure midway through the opening half. Lena Bonnard generated back-to-back attempts in the 24th minute, including one that forced another save from Hyde, while Idaho State earned three corner kicks in a span of less than four minutes.

Eastern Washington did not record its first shot until the 31st minute, and Garrett turned away the Eagles' lone shot on goal just minutes later, denying Delaney Deckett in the 34th. That would prove to be the only save Garrett needed to make as the Bengal defense prevented EWU from putting another attempt on frame for the remainder of the match. 

"Really proud of our backline and defensive efforts," Downey said.

Idaho State carried a 5-2 advantage in shots into halftime and continued to create opportunities after the break.

Cooke and Parker Sullivan produced back-to-back chances in the 57th minute, with Sullivan putting her attempt on goal and forcing Hyde into her third save of the afternoon. Bonnard and Amanda Brayton followed with attempts of their own as the Bengals continued searching for the breakthrough. 

"We had some good chances in front of the net but nothing came of it," Downey said. "Need to be just a tad hungrier in the box to score."

Eastern Washington began to generate more pressure as the second half progressed, producing five shots and five corner kicks after halftime. Idaho State's defense stood firm, however, with none of the Eagles' second-half attempts finding the target.

The Bengals also received a lift off the bench from Kellie Christensen, who entered in the 74th minute and played 10 minutes in her return to the area.

"Hometown kid Kellie Christensen came in and gave some great minutes in the second half, giving our team some energy," Downey said.

Idaho State made one final push over the closing minutes. Fenske narrowly missed in the 76th before Quincie Knudson and Bonnard each produced late attempts, but the Bengals were unable to find the deciding goal.

Garrett played all 90 minutes to record her third clean sheet of the season. In front of her, Amanda Brayton, Daphne Egelhoff and Sofia Wolf each played the full 90 minutes, helping hold an Eastern Washington attack that entered the match with the Big Sky's best nonconference record to only seven total shots and one on goal. 

Idaho State finished with a 12-7 advantage in shots and a 3-1 edge in shots on goal. Bonnard led the Bengals with four attempts, while Cooke, Fenske and Sullivan recorded two apiece. Fenske, Bonnard and Sullivan accounted for Idaho State's three shots on frame.

The result moved Idaho State to 2-5-3 overall and 0-0-1 in Big Sky play, giving the Bengals a road point to begin their conference schedule. Eastern Washington moved to 6-2-2 overall and 0-0-1 in conference action.

Bengal Bites

• The Bengals outshot the Eagles 12-7 and held a 3-1 advantage in shots on goal. 
• Aliya Garrett recorded her third shutout of the season, allowing no goals over 90 minutes.
• Idaho State's defense held EWU to one shot on goal, which came in the 34th minute. The Eagles did not put a shot on frame over the final 56 minutes.
• Lena Bonnard led the Bengals with four shots, including one on goal.
• Idaho State held Eastern Washington to just two shots in the opening half.

Up Next

Idaho State continues Big Sky Conference play following Thursday's road draw as the Bengals look to build on a defensive performance that held one of the conference's strongest teams scoreless for all 90 minutes. The Bengals will now head to Moscow, facing off against the Idaho Vandals on Sunday, Oct. 4th at 2 P.M. MT. Idaho comes into Big Sky Conference play with the second best non-conference record in the Big Sky, trailing only Eastern Washington.