POCATELLO, Idaho – Idaho State women's soccer returns to Davis Field for a special Thursday afternoon matchup, as the Bengals host Utah State on Sept. 17 at 4 p.m. for Senior Day.
Prior to kickoff, Idaho State will recognize eight members of its 2026 squad, honoring fifth-year players Saydree Cooke and Aliya Garrett, along with seniors Emma Casenave, Samantha Fenske, Samantha Esparza, Stephanie Roper, Daphne Egelhoff and Gracie East.
Once the Senior Day festivities conclude, the Bengals will turn their attention to a Utah State squad that enters Pocatello at 6-2-1 and riding consecutive shutout victories. The Aggies are coming off a dominant stretch that included a 4-0 victory over No. 13 BYU, followed by a 3-0 shutout of South Dakota State.
Idaho State enters Thursday as one of the Big Sky's most active attacking teams, averaging 15.57 shots per match, ranking 78th nationally and second in the conference. The Bengals have scored nine goals with eight assists for 26 points through seven matches and rank third in the Big Sky in both scoring offense and points per game.
Thursday will also feature two teams that have consistently generated opportunities offensively. Idaho State averages 15.57 shots per match, while Utah State enters at 15.78. Those marks rank 78th and 73rd nationally, respectively.
HOW TO FOLLOW
Utah State at Idaho State
Date: Thursday, Sept. 17th
Time: 4 p.m.
Location: Davis Field, Pocatello, Idaho
Stream: ESPN+
LiveStats: isubengals.com
Senior Day at Davis Field
Thursday afternoon will carry extra meaning for the Bengals, as Idaho State recognizes six seniors and two fifth-year players prior to kickoff against the Aggies.
The Bengals' 2026 Senior Day class includes:
- #1 Saydree Cooke (C), MF/F, 5th Year – Pocatello, Idaho
- #4 Emma Casenave, D, Senior – Razac-sur-l'Isle, France
- #19 Samantha Fenske, F, Senior – Petaluma, California
- #20 Samantha Esparza, MF/F, Senior – Huntington Beach, California
- #21 Stephanie Roper, F, Senior – Lehi, Utah
- #23 Daphne Egelhoff (C), D, Senior – Henderson, Nevada
- #25 Gracie East, D, Senior – Ogden, Utah
- #26 Aliya Garrett, GK, 5th Year – Canmore, Alberta, Canada
Cooke and Egelhoff have also served as captains for the Bengals this season.
Series History
Utah State
Thursday will mark the 22nd all-time meeting between Idaho State and Utah State, with the Aggies holding a 12-7-2 advantage in the series.
Recent results:
- Aug. 21, 2022 – at Utah State – L, 0-5
- Aug. 19, 2021 – vs. Utah State – T, 0-0
- Sept. 22, 2019 – at Utah State – L, 0-3
- Sept. 8, 2018 – vs. Utah State – W, 5-4 (2OT)
- Sept. 1, 2017 – vs. Utah State – L, 0-2
Idaho State has historically played the Aggies well at Davis Field, holding a 4-3-2 home record in the series compared to a 3-9-0 mark in Logan.
The Bengals are searching for their first win over Utah State since 2018, when Idaho State came away with a thrilling 5-4 double-overtime victory at Davis Field. Thursday will be the first meeting between the two programs since 2022 and Utah State's first trip to Pocatello since the scoreless draw in 2021.
(series: Utah State leads 12-7-2)
Players to Watch – Idaho State Bengals
- #1 Saydree Cooke – Cooke continues to be one of Idaho State's primary creators in the attacking third. The fifth-year Bengal has recorded a team-high three assists, tying for the Big Sky lead, while her 0.43 assists per match lead the conference.
- #19 Samantha Fenske – Fenske has continued to make an impact in the Bengal attack during her senior season. She has converted Idaho State's penalty opportunity this season, going 1-for-1 from the penalty spot, while also adding two assists.
- #21 Stephanie Roper – Roper continues to provide a threat in the attacking third for Idaho State during her senior season, ranking 6th in the Big Sky in Shots and Shots per Game.
- #23 Daphne Egelhoff – One of Idaho State's captains, Egelhoff has provided experience and stability along the Bengal back line throughout the season, leading the team in minutes played.
- #25 Gracie East – East has been a regular presence in the Idaho State back line, while also contributing on the offensive side. Tied for th3rd on the team in Goals, 4th in Assists, and 5th in Points.
- #26 Aliya Garrett – Garrett has recorded two shutouts this season, ranking fourth in the Big Sky. The fifth-year goalkeeper posted clean sheets in Idaho State's 2-0 victories over CSU Bakersfield and Omaha.
Quick Scout – Utah State Aggies (6-2-1)
Utah State comes to Pocatello playing some of its best soccer of the season.
After beginning the year with a 2-0 loss at Kansas and a 2-2 draw against Michigan, the Aggies rattled off four consecutive victories, including three straight shutouts over Portland, Utah Valley and Utah. Following a 2-0 setback at Colorado, Utah State responded in a big way, taking down No. 13 BYU, 4-0, before shutting out South Dakota State, 3-0.
The Aggies have been strong on both ends of the field, scoring 21 goals while allowing just seven. Their +14 goal differential ranks 27th nationally, while their 21 goals rank 29th and their 66 total points rank 26th. Utah State is averaging 2.33 goals and 7.33 points per match, ranking 46th and 34th nationally, respectively.
Utah State has also consistently tested opposing goalkeepers, putting 72 of its 142 shots on goal for a .507 shot-on-goal percentage. The Aggies average 8.00 shots on goal per match, ranking 36th nationally.
Ellie Hendrix leads a balanced Utah State attack with nine points on three goals and three assists. Hendrix has made those goals count, recording three game-winners, ranking seventh nationally.
Samantha Sellers has also scored three goals, while Summer Diamond has two goals and two assists for six points. Seven different Aggies have scored multiple goals this season, giving Utah State plenty of options in the attacking third.
Capriel Winder has been one of the Aggies' top playmakers, leading Utah State with six assists. Her six assists rank eighth nationally, while her 0.67 assists per match rank 16th in the NCAA and lead the Mountain West.
In goal, Ivy Nystrom enters Thursday at 6-1-0 with five shutouts, a 0.44 goals-against average and an .850 save percentage. Her five shutouts rank third nationally, while her 0.436 goals-against average ranks 22nd.
Bengal Bites
- The Bengals rank 78th nationally and second in the Big Sky with 15.57 shots per game.
- ISU ranks third in the Big Sky in scoring offense at 1.29 goals per game and points per game at 3.71.
- The Bengals rank fourth in the Big Sky with 1.14 assists per game and average 4.57 corner kicks per match.
- Saydree Cooke's three assists are tied for the Big Sky lead, while her 0.43 assists per match lead the conference.
- Saydree Cooke is T-7th on ISU's All-Time Assists leaderboard, and is just 1 away from tying Bengal great, Maria Sanchez, for 6th
- Cooke is now T-11th on ISU's All-Time Shots list, tying Amanda Ellsworth with 110
- Aliya Garrett has recorded two shutouts this season, ranking fourth in the Big Sky.
- Thursday will mark the 22nd all-time meeting between Idaho State and Utah State, with the Aggies leading the series 12-7-2.
- Idaho State owns a 4-3-2 record against Utah State at home.
- The Bengals are searching for their first win over Utah State since 2018, when ISU defeated the Aggies 5-4 in double overtime at Davis Field.
- Thursday will be the programs' first meeting since 2022.
- Utah State enters Thursday 6-2-1 overall and has outscored its opponents 21-7.
UP NEXT
Following Thursday's Senior Day matchup against Utah State, the Bengals will finish their non-conference schedule with a match on the road at the University of New Mexico on Sunday, September, 20th at 1 p.m.
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