NORTHRIDGE, California – Idaho State women's soccer controlled much of the attacking action Thursday night, but the Bengals were unable to turn their opportunities into goals, falling 0-1 to Cal State Northridge at Matador Soccer Field.

The Bengals (0-1-1) finished with a commanding 28-12 advantage in shots, including a 10-7 edge in shots on goal. ISU's 28 attempts were its most in a single match in nearly nine years, with the Bengals last surpassing that mark on September 3, 2017, when they recorded 32 shots against UTEP.

Idaho State established its attack early and finished the opening 45 minutes with 14 shots. Saydree Cooke, Samantha Fenske, Stephanie Roper and Gracie East were among the Bengals to generate opportunities as ISU consistently worked its way into dangerous areas.

The Bengals' best opportunity of the first half came in the 33rd minute. After a CSUN foul inside the box, Cooke stepped to the penalty spot with an opportunity to give Idaho State the lead, but Matador goalkeeper Hayden Mauldin made the save to keep the match scoreless.

Idaho State continued to apply pressure after halftime, adding another 14 shots and putting several attempts on frame. The Bengals kept searching for the breakthrough, but Mauldin and the CSUN defense kept ISU off the board.

Despite Idaho State controlling much of the offensive action, the deciding moment came in the 76th minute. An initial no-call on a potential Bengal handball inside the box was successfully challenged by CSUN and overturned, awarding the Matadors a penalty kick. Ariana Lopez-Angel converted from the spot to give CSUN the 1-0 advantage.

The Bengals continued to attack over the final 15 minutes. Amanda Brayton forced another save from Mauldin before Roper and Cooke added late attempts, but Idaho State was unable to find the equalizer.

Cooke was at the center of the Bengal attack throughout the night, finishing with a match-high nine shots and three shots on goal. The nine attempts established a new single-game career high for the fifth-year forward, surpassing her previous best of eight.

Cooke's performance also carried historical significance. Her nine shots were the most by an Idaho State player in a single match in nearly nine years, matching Makena Bambei's nine-shot performance against UTEP on September 3, 2017. Fittingly, that same UTEP match was also the last time the Bengals surpassed Thursday night's team total of 28 shots.

Fenske and Roper each added five attempts, with the trio combining for 19 of Idaho State's 28 shots.

On the other end, Hannah Wieler turned in a strong performance in goal, recording six saves to keep the Bengals within striking distance throughout the night. Wieler's six stops finished one shy of matching her career high of seven, while the Bengal defense did not surrender a goal from the run of play over the full 90 minutes.

Ultimately, the difference came from the penalty spot. Idaho State saw its first-half opportunity denied before CSUN converted its chance following the successful second-half challenge, handing the Bengals a narrow 1-0 road loss despite one of their most productive shooting performances in recent program history.

Bengal Bites

• Idaho State's 28 shots were its most in a single match since recording 32 against UTEP on Sept. 3, 2017.
• ISU more than doubled CSUN in shots, 28-12, recording 14 attempts in each half.
• Saydree Cooke set a new single-game career high with nine shots, surpassing her previous best of eight.
• Cooke's nine attempts were the most by a Bengal since Makena Bambei also recorded nine against UTEP on Sept. 3, 2017.
• Hannah Wieler recorded six saves, one shy of tying her career high of seven.
• CSUN's deciding penalty kick came following a successful challenge that overturned an initial no-call for a handball inside the box.

Up Next

Idaho State continues its California road trip on Sunday, August 23rd, traveling to face Cal State Bakersfield at 11 a.m. PT/12 p.m. MT.