BAKERSFIELD, California – Idaho State women's soccer broke through for its first win of the 2026 season Sunday afternoon, putting together a complete team performance in a 2-0 road victory over Cal State Bakersfield.

Parker Sullivan opened the scoring with the first goal of her collegiate career, while Stephanie Roper played a role in both Bengal goals with a goal and an assist. On the other end, Aliya Garrett made six saves to secure the shutout and earn her first career Division I victory in net.

After generating 28 shots but coming up empty Thursday night at CSUN, the Bengals once again created chances early and often in Bakersfield. Idaho State recorded nine shots in the opening half before finding the breakthrough in the 25th minute.

Roper helped create the opening goal, finding Sullivan for the finish at the 24:50 mark. Sullivan, who had entered the match less than seven minutes earlier, converted the opportunity for the first goal of her collegiate career, giving Idaho State a 1-0 advantage.

"It felt amazing," Lacie Poll said of watching Sullivan break through. "Once we put the first goal in the back of the net, it really motivates us to get going and know that we can do it. To see that Parker really put her body on the line to get us that goal, it just pushes us even more."

Garrett and the Idaho State defense made the advantage stand through the remainder of the first half. The Bengal keeper turned away three CSUB shots before halftime, sending ISU into the break with its 1-0 lead intact.

Idaho State continued to push forward after the break, producing another 11 shots. The Bengals generated several opportunities to extend the lead before Roper provided the insurance in the 75th minute, finding the back of the net to push the advantage to 2-0.

The goal marked the second of Roper's Idaho State career, while her assist on Sullivan's first-half goal was the third of her Bengal career. With a hand in both goals, the senior finished the afternoon with three points and helped lead Idaho State to its first victory of the season.

"It was a big relief, a big weight off my shoulders to finally get one in the net," Roper said.

Head coach Dustin Downey credited the senior with setting the tone for the Bengals throughout the afternoon.

"We love when an upperclassman can set the tone, and I think she did that for us today," Downey said. "She's been great for us every game. I'm glad to see her get rewarded, getting on the scoresheet. She deserves it."

While Idaho State's offense found its finishing touch, Garrett and the Bengal defense made sure two goals were more than enough.

CSU Bakersfield pushed for a response late, but Garrett made three saves over the final 15 minutes to preserve the clean sheet. She finished the afternoon with six saves, securing her first career Division I victory in goal.

"She's in control, and I think that brings our team confidence building out of the back," Roper said of Garrett. "When we're getting attacked, we know that she has our back and she's going to do everything she can to help us win."

Downey also credited Garrett and the Bengal back line for helping ISU secure the road shutout in difficult conditions.

"I've got to give our backline and our goalkeeper a shout-out for keeping the shutout," Downey said. "That's tough to do on the road. Everyone's contributing. Everyone got in today, everyone got minutes. I think overall it was a great team effort."

That depth proved especially important with temperatures nearing triple digits in Bakersfield. Poll made the second start of her career and first of the season, while the Bengals were able to rotate players throughout the afternoon.

Idaho State finished with a 20-16 advantage in shots, giving the Bengals 48 attempts over their two matches in California. ISU also held a 5-3 advantage in corner kicks, while both teams put six shots on frame. Samantha Fenske led the Bengals with five shots, Roper added four and Daphne Egelhoff finished with three.

For Downey, Sunday's victory was a reward for an Idaho State attack that has consistently created opportunities during the opening stretch of the season.

"We've been working really hard," Downey said. "For those that have been watching us play, they know we've been getting a lot of chances in the attack, we just haven't been able to put them in the net. Today hopefully is the start of good things to come."

The Bengals finally saw that pressure pay off Sunday, pairing two goals with a clean sheet to leave California with their first victory of the 2026 campaign.
 

Bengal Bites

• Idaho State earned its first victory of the 2026 season with the 2-0 win.
• Parker Sullivan scored the first goal of her collegiate career.
• Stephanie Roper finished with one goal and one assist.
• Roper's 75th-minute goal was the second goal of her Idaho State career.
• Roper's assist on Sullivan's opener was the third assist of her Bengal career.
• Aliya Garrett made six saves to earn the shutout and her first career Division I victory.
• Idaho State outshot CSU Bakersfield 20-16.
• Samantha Fenske led Idaho State with five shots, while Roper added four.

Up Next

Idaho State returns to Davis Field following its two-match California road trip as the Bengals prepare to host UNLV on Thursday, August 27th at 7 p.m.