POCATELLO, Idaho – Idaho State women's soccer returns to Davis Field on Thursday, Aug. 27th, as the Bengals welcome UNLV to Pocatello for a 7 p.m. kickoff.
The Bengals return home with momentum following a 2-0 road victory over CSU Bakersfield on Sunday. The win moved Idaho State to 1-1-1 through its first three matches and gave the Bengals their first victory and first shutout of the 2026 season.
Fifth-year goalkeeper Aliya Garrett is coming off a career performance at CSU Bakersfield, earning her first Division I victory and a shutout en route to being named Big Sky Defensive Player of the Week on Aug. 25th.
Idaho State has also been aggressive going forward through the opening three matches, leading the Big Sky Conference and ranking 6th nationally averaging 23.67 shots per game. The Bengals also lead the conference and are tied for 35th in the NCAA averaging 7.67 corner kicks per match.
Thursday's match up brings UNLV to Davis Field for the first time since 2000 and gives the Bengals an opportunity to build on Sunday's road win.
Series History
UNLV
The Rebels lead the all-time series against Idaho State, 3-2-0, with the Bengals taking last season's meeting in Las Vegas.
- Sept. 18, 2025 – at UNLV – W, 2-0
- Sept. 11, 2022 – at UNLV – L, 0-1
- Sept. 30, 2004 – at UNLV – L, 0-1
- Sept. 17, 2000 – vs. UNLV – W, 4-1
- Sept. 20, 1998 – at UNLV – L, 0-1
Last season, Idaho State traveled to Las Vegas and came away with a 2-0 victory, its first win over UNLV since 2000. Thursday will mark the Rebels' first trip to Pocatello in 26 years.
Players to Watch – Idaho State Bengals
- #1 Saydree Cooke – Cooke has been one of the most active attacking players in the Big Sky through the opening weeks. She leads the conference with 12 shots through Idaho State's first three matches.
- #19 Samantha Fenske – Fenske recorded the Bengals' first assist of the season on Lacie Poll's goal against Snow College, the second assist of her career. She enters Thursday tied for second in the Big Sky with 11 shots.
- #21 Stephanie Roper – Roper has been a major part of the early Bengal attack and enters the UNLV match tied for sixth in the Big Sky with three points while ranking seventh with 10 shots.
- #22 Parker Sullivan – Sullivan found the back of the net for the first time in her collegiate career in Idaho State's 2-0 victory at CSU Bakersfield. She ranks eighth in the Big Sky with nine shots and is tied for ninth with four shots on goal.
- #26 Aliya Garrett – The fifth-year goalkeeper enters Thursday fresh off being named Big Sky Defensive Player of the Week after earning her first career Division I victory in Idaho State's 2-0 shutout win at CSU Bakersfield.
Quick Scout – UNLV Rebels (1-3-0)
UNLV comes to Pocatello with a 1-3-0 record through its first four matches. The Rebels opened with a 0-1 loss at Cal Poly before defeating Big Sky opponent Portland State, 1-0. UNLV has since dropped a 1-2 decision to UC San Diego and a 0-1 road match at California Baptist.
The Rebels have played four low-scoring matches to begin the year. UNLV has scored two goals while allowing four, with three of its four matches decided by a single goal. The Rebels are averaging 8.5 shots per match and have put 11 of their 34 attempts on goal. Defensively, UNLV has allowed just one goal per match and owns an .826 team save percentage.
Kaitlin Taylor and Audrina Hernandez have accounted for UNLV's two goals this season. Both have seven shots through four matches, tying for the team lead, while Taylor has put a team-best three attempts on frame. Taylor also scored the game-winner in UNLV's 1-0 victory over Portland State.
Madison Encinas has recorded the Rebels' lone assist of the season and has played all 360 minutes. Defenders Ana De Los Santos and Kaitlyn Lee have also played every minute through UNLV's opening four contests.
The Rebels have used three goalkeepers, with Riley Hodson posting the strongest numbers thus far. Hodson is 1-1-0 with a 0.50 goals-against average, nine saves, a .900 save percentage and one shutout across 180 minutes.
Bengal Bites
- The Bengals lead the Big Sky and rank 6th in the NCAA with 23.67 shots per game
- Idaho State leads the Big Sky and is tied for 35th nationally with 7.67 corner kicks per game
- Saydree Cooke leads the Big Sky with 12 shots
- Samantha Fenske is tied for second in the conference with 11 shots
- Stephanie Roper is tied for sixth in the Big Sky with three points and ranks seventh with 10 shots
- Parker Sullivan ranks eighth in the Big Sky with nine shots and is tied for ninth with four shots on goal
- Amanda Brayton has played all 270 minutes of Idaho State's season thus far and ranks ninth in the Big Sky with seven shots
- Lacie Poll scored Idaho State's first goal of the season in the Bengals' 1-1 draw against Snow College, the second goal of her career
- Samantha Fenske recorded the assist on Poll's goal, the second assist of her career
- Parker Sullivan scored her first career goal in Idaho State's win at CSU Bakersfield
- Aliya Garrett earned her first career Division I victory in the shutout at CSU Bakersfield
- Garrett was named Big Sky Defensive Player of the Week on Aug. 25, becoming the first Bengal to earn the defensive honor since Kelsey Jargstorf on Sept. 13, 2023
- Garrett is the first Bengal to win any Big Sky Player of the Week award since Isabella Winton on Oct. 7, 2025
- Head coach Dustin Downey earned his 15th career victory at Idaho State against CSU Bakersfield, the third-most coaching victories in program history
HOW TO FOLLOW
UNLV at Idaho State
Date: Thursday, Aug. 27th
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Davis Field, Pocatello, Idaho
Stream: ESPN+
LiveStats: isubengals.com
UP NEXT
Following Thursday night's matchup with UNLV, the Bengals will continue their 2026 non-conference schedule on Sunday, August 30th at Boise State.
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