FARMINGTON, Utah – After shutting the door on CSU Bakersfield, Idaho State goalkeeper Aliya Garrett has been named the Big Sky Conference Defensive Player of the Week.
Garrett was outstanding between the posts in Idaho State's 2-0 road win over the Roadrunners, turning away all six shots on goal she faced across 90 minutes to secure the clean sheet and help the Bengals bring a win back to Pocatello.
The performance earns Garrett the first Big Sky weekly honor of her career.
Garrett becomes the first Idaho State soccer player to earn a Big Sky Player of the Week award since Isabella Winton was named Offensive Player of the Week on Oct. 7, 2025. Even more notably, Garrett is the first Bengal goalkeeper to earn Big Sky Defensive Player of the Week honors in nearly three years, and the first Idaho State player to claim the defensive award since Kelsey Jargstorf on Sept. 13, 2023.
Her performance in Bakersfield left little doubt.
CSU Bakersfield generated 16 shots over the course of the match, but Garrett and the Bengal back line refused to let one find the back of the net. The Roadrunners put six attempts on frame and Garrett stopped every one, recording three saves in each half.
Garrett was called into action early, making saves in the 13th, 21st and 31st minutes to keep CSU Bakersfield off the board and allow the Bengals to carry a 1-0 advantage into halftime.
Her best work came when the Bengals needed her most.
As CSU Bakersfield pushed forward looking for a way back into the match, Garrett stood tall. She made three more saves over the final 15 minutes, turning away attempts in the 76th, 79th and 82nd minutes to slam the door on any Roadrunner comeback and preserve the 2-0 shutout.
The six-save clean sheet capped a complete performance from Garrett and the Idaho State defense, and now earns the Bengal goalkeeper conference recognition for her work in Bakersfield.
