OMAHA, Nebraska – Idaho State women's soccer returned to the win column Thursday night with a 2-0 road victory over Omaha at Caniglia Field, using an early goal from Devree Bell, a late finish from Lacie Poll and another shutout performance from Aliya Garrett to secure the win.
Saydree Cooke helped create both Bengal goals, finishing with two assists, including one on her sister Devree's first collegiate goal. Poll provided the insurance in the closing minutes with her team-leading third goal of the season.
Idaho State wasted little time jumping in front.
Just 3:26 into the match, Bell found the back of the net for the first time in her Bengal career. Stephanie Roper and Cooke combined to set up the goal, giving Idaho State a 1-0 advantage before Omaha had settled into the match.
The goal provided a special sister-to-sister connection for the Bengals, with Cooke earning an assist on Bell's first career goal. It came just days after Cooke and Bell shared the field with their sister, Tambree Bell, in Idaho State's matchup at Boise State.
Omaha responded with pressure throughout the remainder of the opening half, generating seven shots and six corner kicks. Garrett and the Bengal defense stood firm, however, keeping the Mavericks off the board.
Garrett made both of her saves in the opening 45 minutes, stopping Payten Ivins in the fifth minute before turning away Charley Kort in the 21st. Idaho State carried its 1-0 advantage into halftime.
The second half belonged to the Bengals.
After being outshot 7-5 in the opening period, Idaho State flipped the match after halftime and produced a commanding 15-2 advantage in shots. The Bengals also earned all six of their second-half corner kicks while preventing Omaha from recording a corner after the break.
Idaho State continued knocking on the door throughout the half. Laura Gabona, Laila Magaña Carter, Roper and Lena Bonnard all forced saves as the Bengals searched for an insurance goal.
That breakthrough finally arrived in the 85th minute.
Cooke once again created the opportunity, setting up Poll at the 84:03 mark for Idaho State's second goal of the night. The finish was Poll's third goal of the season, moving her into the team lead through the Bengals' first five matches.
For Cooke, the assist completed a two-assist performance and gave the fifth-year forward another productive night following her goal at Boise State and one-goal, one-assist outing against UNLV.
With the two-goal cushion in hand, Idaho State closed out the clean sheet. Omaha's final threat came in the 88th minute when Addie LaRock struck the woodwork, but the Mavericks were unable to find a way through the Bengal defense.
Garrett played all 90 minutes and finished with two saves, earning her second shutout victory of the season after also blanking CSU Bakersfield on the road. The Bengals held Omaha to just nine shots overall and only two in the second half.
Idaho State finished with a 20-9 advantage in shots, including a 7-2 edge in shots on goal. The Bengals also finished with seven corner kicks to Omaha's six.
Bell, Cooke, Poll and Bonnard each recorded three shots, while Bonnard put a team-high two attempts on goal. Roper added two shots along with her assist on Bell's opening goal.
The victory improved Idaho State to 2-2-2 on the season and gave the Bengals their second road shutout victory of the young campaign.
Bengal Bites
- Devree Bell scored the first goal of her collegiate career just 3:26 into the match.
- Bell's first career goal featured an assist from her sister, Saydree Cooke, along with Stephanie Roper.
- Lacie Poll scored her team-leading third goal of the season in the 85th minute.
- Aliya Garrett earned her second shutout victory of the season, making two saves.
- Idaho State outshot Omaha 20-9, including a dominant 15-2 advantage in the second half.
- The Bengals held a 7-2 advantage in shots on goal.
- The Bengals have now scored seven goals over their last four matches.
Up Next
Idaho State closes out their 3-match road trip Sunday as the Bengals travel to SMU for another non-conference test.
