POCATELLO, Idaho – Idaho State women's soccer heads to California for its first road trip of the 2026 season, with the Bengals set for a pair of matches at CSUN and CSU Bakersfield.
The Bengals will open the trip on Thursday, Aug. 20th, taking on CSUN at 7 p.m. PT/8 p.m. MT in Northridge, California. Idaho State will then make the trip north to Bakersfield for a Sunday morning matchup against CSU Bakersfield at 11 a.m. PT/12 p.m. MT.
Idaho State enters the weekend 0-0-1 after opening the regular season with a 1-1 draw against Snow College on Aug. 13th at Davis Field. The Bengals controlled much of the match offensively, finishing with a 23-9 advantage in shots and an 11-2 edge in corner kicks.
After Snow took a 1-0 lead in the 18th minute, Idaho State answered before halftime. Samantha Fenske delivered a clean ball into the box to Lacie Poll, who finished the opportunity in the 41st minute for her first goal of the season. The Bengals continued to create chances after halftime, recording 10 second-half shots, but neither side was able to find the go-ahead goal.
The weekend will give Idaho State its first opportunity of the season to compete away from Davis Field, with the Bengals playing two matches in four days against a pair of Big West programs.
Players to Watch for Idaho State
Lacie Poll made an immediate impact off the bench in the season opener, scoring Idaho State's lone goal in 22 minutes of action. Poll converted her only shot of the match to pull the Bengals even before halftime.
Samantha Fenske picked up where she left off as one of the Bengals' steady presences in the attack. Fenske played 84 minutes against Snow and provided the assist on Poll's goal, sending a well-placed ball into the box that set up the equalizer. Served as the team's primary corner shot taker, serving nearly all of her passes into perfect spots of the box for a potential goal.
Parker Sullivan was one of Idaho State's most active attacking threats in the opener. Sullivan led all Bengals with six shots, including two on goal, while playing 68 minutes.
Amanda Brayton also generated opportunities throughout the afternoon, recording three shots and putting one on goal while playing all 90 minutes. Devree Bell added three shots of her own, while Saydree Cooke and Laila Magaña Carter each finished with two.
In goal, Aliya Garrett played the full 90 minutes against Snow, allowing one goal while making four saves.
Quick Scout: CSUN
CSUN enters the week 0-2-0 after opening its season with a pair of road matches. The Matadors fell 3-0 at Boise State on Aug. 12th before dropping a 1-0 decision at Idaho on Aug. 15th.
Despite the 0-2-0 start, CSUN has kept its opponents within reach defensively, particularly in its most recent match against Idaho. After surrendering three goals against Boise State, the Matadors held the Vandals to a single goal.
Through two matches, CSUN has been outshot 36-11, with opponents putting 22 shots on goal compared to three for the Matadors. CSUN has yet to score through its opening 180 minutes.
The Matadors' goalkeeping has been busy through the opening week. CSUN has totaled 18 saves on 22 shots on goal, good for an .818 save percentage.
Thursday will mark CSUN's home opener after beginning the year with consecutive road matches in Boise and Moscow.
All-Time Series: CSUN
Idaho State is searching for their first-ever win over the Matadors with an 0-3-2 All-Time record versus CSUN. This will be the first meeting between the two programs since 2005.
The Bengals will be looking to pick up a road result against the Matadors before continuing to the 661 for Sunday's match in Bakersfield.
Quick Scout: CSU Bakersfield
CSU Bakersfield enters the week 0-1-0 after opening its season with a 4-0 road loss at San Francisco on Aug. 13th.
The Roadrunners finished their opener with seven shots, three of which were on goal, while San Francisco recorded 13 shots and put nine on frame. Bakersfield also earned three corner kicks compared to four for the Dons.
Tania Tapia led the Roadrunners' attack in the opener, recording two shots and putting both on goal. Leslie Duarte accounted for CSUB's other shot on target, while CJ Walters, Justyce Amey, Olivia Green and Carsyn Gildehaus each attempted one shot.
Allanah Blye played the full 90 minutes in goal for Bakersfield, making five saves against San Francisco. Two of the four goals allowed came from penalty kicks.
Bakersfield will have another match before facing the Bengals on Sunday, giving Idaho State a Roadrunner team with two matches under its belt by the time the teams meet.
All-Time Series: CSU Bakersfield
The Bengals and Roadrunners are familiar opponents, with Sunday's meeting coming 364 days after the two programs last met at Davis Field in Pocatello.
Idaho State earned a 1-0 victory over CSU Bakersfield on Aug. 24th, 2025, their first-ever win over CSUB. Idaho State has a 1-2-0 All-Time record against the Roadrunners, and are 0-1-0 when in Bakersfield.
Sunday's match will give Idaho State an opportunity to make it consecutive wins in the series, this time on the Roadrunners' home field.
First Road Test of 2026
After opening the season at Davis Field, Idaho State will face a different challenge this weekend with two matches on the road in a span of four days.
The Bengals will look to carry their attacking pressure from the season opener with them to California. Idaho State's 23 shots against Snow included six shots on goal, while the Bengals generated 11 corners and held Snow to just two shots over the final 45 minutes.
Idaho State also received contributions throughout its lineup in the opener, with 18 Bengals seeing action and 11 different players recording at least one shot.
With CSUN and CSU Bakersfield both entering the week searching for their first victories of the season, the Bengals will look to build on their opening draw and bring positive results back to Pocatello.
Bengal Bites
- Idaho State enters the weekend 0-0-1 following its 1-1 season-opening draw against Snow College.
- The Bengals outshot Snow 23-9 and held an 11-2 advantage in corner kicks.
- Idaho State allowed just two shots in the second half of its season opener.
- Lacie Poll scored Idaho State's first goal of the 2026 season.
- Samantha Fenske recorded the Bengals' first assist of the year.
- Parker Sullivan leads Idaho State with six shots through one match.
- Aliya Garrett made four saves while playing all 90 minutes in goal against Snow.
- CSUN enters the week 0-2-0, while CSU Bakersfield is 0-1-0.
- Both opponents were held scoreless in their opening matches of the season.
- Idaho State defeated CSU Bakersfield 1-0 in Pocatello last season.
How to Follow
Idaho State at Cal State Northridge
Date: Thursday, August 20th
Time: 8 p.m. MT
Location: Matador Soccer Field, Northridge, California
LiveStats: isubengals.com
Idaho State at Cal State Bakersfield
Date: Sunday, August 23rd
Time: 12 p.m. MT
Location: CSUB Main Soccer Field, Bakersfield, California
Stream: ESPN+
LiveStats: isubengals.com
Next Up
Following its two-match California road swing, Idaho State will return to Pocatello to host UNLV on Thursday, August 27th at 7 P.M.
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