Idaho State Returns Home to Face Southern Utah and Utah Tech

POCATELLO, Idaho - Idaho State women's soccer returns home to Davis Field for a two-match challenge, starting Thursday, Oct. 8 against Southern Utah at 7:00 p.m. MT before facing Utah Tech on Sunday, Oct. 11 at 1:00 p.m. MT.

The Bengals enter Thursday's match 2-6-3 after their road trip through Cheney and Missoula. Idaho State is currently 0-1-1 in conference play, looking for their first Big Sky win this week. 

Idaho State has a 48-36 advantage in saves, led by goalkeeper Aliya Garrett. Garrett has recorded three shutouts this season ranking fifth in the conference and 102nd in the nation. 

Southern Utah comes to Pocatello with a 4-6-1 record and brings an attack that has produced 25 goals throughout 11 matches as well as a .625 shot on goal percentage. Utah Tech also brings a strong attack with 17 goals throughout 11 matches and a 6-4-1 record.
 

HOW TO FOLLOW

Idaho State vs. Southern Utah
Date: Thursday, Oct. 8
Time: 7:00 p.m. MT
Location: Davis Field, Pocatello, Idaho
Stream: ESPN+
LiveStats: isubengals.com 

Idaho State vs. Utah Tech
Date: Sunday, Oct. 11
Time: 1:00 p.m. MT
Location: Davis Field, Pocatello, Idaho
Stream: ESPN+
LiveStats: isubengals.com

Series History

Southern Utah University

Thursday will mark the 21st all-time meeting between Idaho State and Southern Utah. 

Recent results:

• 10/06/2017 - at Southern Utah - L, 2-1
• 09/23/2018 - vs. Southern Utah - W, 1-0
• 10/25/2019 - at Southern Utah - L, 2-1
• 09/14/2023 - at Southern Utah - W, 3-2
• 09/12/2024 - vs. Southern Utah - T, 0-0

Idaho State leads the series overall 14-5-1 and in conference 4-4-0, against the Thunderbirds. This will mark the first conference meeting between the programs since 2019. 

Utah Tech

Sunday will mark the 6th all-time meeting between Idaho State and Utah Tech. 

Recent results:

• 08/30/2019 - vs. Utah Tech - T(2OT), 1-1
• 09/03/2021 - vs. Utah Tech - L, 1-2
• 09/09/2022 - at Utah Tech - L, 0-1
• 09/17/2023 - at Utah Tech - L, 3-4
• 09/04/2025 - vs. Utah Tech - L, 2-3

The Trailblazers lead the all time series 4-0-1, with Thursday marking Utah Tech's fourth trip to Pocatello. This will mark the first Big Sky Conference meeting between the two programs. 

The Bengals will be looking for their first victory over Utah Tech. 
 

Players to Watch - Idaho State Bengals

• #1 Saydree Cooke continues to lead the team with seven points, consisting of two goals and three assists. Cooke is currently ranked 8th in the Big Sky in shots (26) and 5th in assists (3).
• #16  Lacie Poll has two goals under her belt this season from just six shots taken. 
• #19 Samantha Fenske has six points with two goals and two assists. She leads the team with 9/20 shots on goal.
• #21 Stephanie Roper is second on the team with 7/20 shots on goal and continues to be an aggressive attacker for the Bengals. 
• #23 Daphne Egelhoff has started all 11 matches for the Bengals and leads the team in minutes played (958). 
• #26 Aliya Garrett has recorded three shutouts this season, and has recently tied her season high of seven saves against Idaho.

Quick Scout - Southern Utah University

Southern Utah enters Thursday's matchup 4-6-1 overall, coming off a 1-0 win against Portland State. The Thunderbirds are currently 1-1-0 in conference with the victory over Portland and an 0-1 loss against Montana. Early in September, Southern Utah recorded an incredible 18-0 shutout over Justice U.13 different Thunderbirds were responsible for those 18 goals. 

Southern Utah has outscored their opponents 25-14, but faces a slight disadvantage in shots 120-129, saves 48-50, and corner kicks 32-39. The Thunderbirds are ranked 1st in the Big Sky in goals (25), assists (21), assists per game (2.00), shots on goal per game (6.70), points per game (6.80), and shot accuracy (0.626). Their shot accuracy ranks 1st in the nation while their other statistics rank 44th, 57th, 44th, 84th, and 34th respectively.

Gracen Blieschke leads the Thunderbirds with four goals, four assists, and 19/31 shots on goal. This ranks her 4th, 1st, and 2nd in conference. Blieschke also ranks 1st in conference with a 0.630 shot accuracy that is 26th in the nation. Ashtyn Ivey and Ashlyn O'Malley have contributed three goals and an assist each, with O'Malley ranking 6th in the Big Sky in goals and Ivey ranking 8th. 

In goal, Tatum Trout has started all 11 games, recording 47 saves and two shutouts, ranking her 3rd and 6th in the Big Sky. 
 

Quick Scout - Utah Tech

Utah Tech enters Sunday's matchup 6-4-1 overall, and is currently undefeated 2-0-0 in conference play. These victories came in a 2-1 battle against Portland State and a 2-0 shutout against Montana. 

The Trailblazers have a 54-49 advantage in corner kicks and saves against their opponents. Utah Tech is currently ranked 1st in Big Sky Standings and averages 11.5 shots per game with a 0.496 shot accuracy. They are ranked 2nd in conference in assists per game (1.7), scoring offense (1.5), total assists (19), and total goals (17). 

Lataya Brost leads the Trailblazers with five goals, four assists, and 10/23 shots on goal. She is ranked 2nd in conference for goals and game-winning goals, assists, 5th in shots, and 1st in points (14). Ella Rusick is another dominant player for Utah Tech with five goals, two assists, and 17/28 shots on goal. This ranks her 1st, 8th, and 3rd as well as 4th in shots (28) and points (12) in the Big Sky. Rusick is tied with Blieschke in shot accuracy (6.30), 26th in the nation. 

In goal, Elle Rafajko has started nine games and recorded 3 shutouts and 34 saves, ranking 4th and 7th in conference.  
 

Bengal Bites

• Idaho State has a 48-36 advantage in saves vs. their opponents 
• The Bengals rank 3rd in the Big Sky in shots per game (13.60) and 4th in assists per game (0.8), shutout percentage (0.300), and total assists (8). 
• Daphne Egelhoff has climbed to 4th all time in ISU history, passing Bailey Williams in minutes played (4093).
• Saydree Cooke is ranked 5th in the Big Sky in assists (3) and 8th in shots (26). 
• Cooke passed Kilee Quigley, to tie Jill Schade for 9th all time in career shots at Idaho State (115). 
• Samantha Fenkse leads the team in shots on goal with 9/20.
• Aliya Garrett has now recorded three shutouts this season, ranking 5th in the Big Sky.

UP NEXT

The Bengals are back on the road next week, traveling to Missoula, MT and Portland, OR. Idaho State will face Montana on Thursday, Oct. 15 at 3:00 p.m. and Portland State on Sunday, Oct. 18 at 2:00 p.m. MT.