POCATELLO, Idaho - Idaho State women's soccer returned to Davis Field on Thursday night, battling Northern Arizona to a 2-2 draw. The Bengals came out strong in the first half, holding NAU scoreless, but were unable to continue that in the second half, despite all their defensive efforts. 

Elliotte Kortus took the first shot for the Lumberjacks at 2:13, immediately challenging Aliya Garrett, to record her first save of the night. Idaho State took their first shot just four minutes later, when Syleena Hogan found the back of the net for her second career goal, assisted by Amanda Brayton and Lena Bonnard, to give the Bengals an early advantage. 

Both teams continued to generate shots on goal, with NAU putting 1/2 shots on frame at 10:08 and 13:41, and Idaho State answering with their own two attempts from Saydree Cooke, at 12:43 and 14:49. The Lumberjacks continued to attack offensively, with back to back shots on goal in the 18th and 19th minutes, resulting in key saves from Garrett. 

The Bengals found the back of the net for the second time when Brayton took a shot from deep, soaring over the hands of NAU's goalie, Lexi Saveski, in the 37th minute, for her first career goal. Micala Boex attempted to answer with less than a minute remaining in the first half, but was unsuccessful. 

Idaho State held the Lumberjacks to a scoreless first half, leading 2-0 behind Garrett's four saves. NAU took the first shot in the second at the 46:47 mark, followed by back to back shots from Cooke in the 54th and 57th minutes. 

Kaylee Muniz put the Lumberjacks on the board at 57:23 with a double assist from Valerie Llamas and Ava Hinske. Both teams continued to attack, alternating multiple shot attempts and yellow cards, in a physical battle. 

Idaho State's defense challenged numerous shots from NAU, until Erin Perry knocked in the equalizer at 86:06, with an assist from Boex. The Bengals attempted to answer, with Samantha Fenske taking the final shot of the game in the 89th minute, but couldn't find the mark. 

The Bengals showed a strong presence on both ends of the field and fought til the very end, despite facing a disadvantage in shots (13-20), and shots on goal (9-6). 

Cooke led the Bengal attack with 3/4 shots on goal, while Hogan and Brayton each scored on their lone shots of the night. Gracie East and Fenske each recorded two shots and played the entire 90 minutes, along with Brayton, Daphne Egelhoff, and Sofia Wolf. Garrett also played all 90 minutes and tied her season high of seven saves. 
 

Bengal Bites:

• The Bengals held a 7-4 advantage in saves
• Amanda Brayton scored her first career goal on her lone shot of the night, as well as her first assist.
• Syleena Hogan scored her second career goal, putting the Bengals on the board early in the first half. 
• Aliya Garrett tied her season high of seven saves and played all 90 minutes. 
• Saydree Cooke led with 3/4 shots on goal for the Bengals
• Lena Bonnard recorded her second career assist. 

Up Next

Idaho State women's soccer returns to Davis Field on Sunday night, Nov. 1, where they will face the Northern Colorado Bears, currently ranked third in the Big Sky, at 1:00 p.m.