Aug. 25, 2009

Game Notes: Southern Utah and Maine

Pocatello, ID-- Idaho State split during their first week of competition falling to New Mexico 2-0 and defeating New Mexico State 1-1 in double overtime. This week the Bengals will split their time as they head to Southern Utah on Friday, August 28 at the Thunderbird Soccer Field before returning home for ISU's first regular season home contest against the Black Bears of Maine on Sunday, August 30 at Davis Field. ISU will play Southern Utah at 5 p.m. and Maine at 1 p.m. Live stats are not available for either contest, however fans can follow the home game at KISU 91.1 FM or via radio internet at www.isubengals.com.

The Bengals came out strong against New Mexico State as they set the tone for the 2009 season. Even though Idaho State returns one player of eight who scored a goal last season, ISU's fire power continues to burn hot. The Bengals posted 25 shots in its last contest with midfielders Ashley Jones and Annamarie Hofstetter leading the count at five shots each with a total of nine players taking at least one shot. Idaho State had five players on the pitch for all 108:08 against New Mexico State and all were defensive positions: Keeper Bailey Williams, defender Stainbrook, defender Ball, Karissa Henage-Fisher and freshman defender Morgan Olson.

Freshman Jones scored Idaho State's winning-goal against New Mexico State with 1:52 remaining on the clock in double overtime. Jones laid out horizontally in a diving header six yards from the goal to bury deep in the far post. This was Jones' first career goal and gave Idaho State its first victory of the season. Jones played 85 minutes and produced five shots, all of which were on goal. Against New Mexico Jones played 80 minutes on the pitch.

Junior Henage-Fisher lead Idaho State's defensive effort from the back line. Henage-Fisher was a driving force in holding New Mexico to 14 shots with just three on goal during ISU's 2-0 loss to New Mexico. She played all 90 minutes against New Mexico. Henage-Fisher also led the Bengals against New Mexico State playing 108:08 as the Bengals went into double overtime. She helped her team shut down the Aggies as they posted six on goal shots form 13 shot attempts. Henage-Fisher's strength in leading the back line created scoring opportunities for the Bengals as they were able to unleash 25 shots with 16 on goal.

The last time Idaho State dropped its season opener and won its second game was in 2006 when head coach Gibson led the Bengals to its last Big Sky Conference Championship Title. In 2006, ISU dropped a 1-0 decision to Utah State to start the season, then defeated Southern Utah. Also, both contests were at home on Davis Field. This season the Bengals open with a 1-1 record on the road.

After going offsides twice against New Mexico the Bengals increased its communication and were not whistled for an offside against New Mexico State. The last time Idaho State had a zero offiside game was in 2007 against San Diego where the Bengals lost 6-0. The last ISU victory with zero offsides was in 2006 when the Bengals defeated Weber State 1-0 in the first round of the Big Sky Tournament.

Southern Utah opened its season with a 2-0 loss to Northern Arizona in Cedar City. NAU scored its two goals in the first 16 minutes of the game and just three minutes apart. Southern Utah returns 14 lettermen and seven starters. They were 7-10-0 overall last season and posted a 4-4-0 record in the Summit League for a 4th place finish. The Bengals lead Southern Utah 6-1 having dropped only one contest in 2005 under Mark Salisbury in a 1-0 double overtime loss. Idaho State will host Maine in the teams' first meeting. Under head coach Allison Gibson the Bengals are 2-0 having defeated Southern Utah by wide margins, 6-1 in 2006 and 7-1 in 2007 for a 13-to-2 goal ratio.

Maine opens its 2009 season at Weber State on Friday, August 28th at 3 p.m. before heading to Idaho State to play the Bengals on Sunday. Idaho State will be able to gauge some of Maine and Weber State's performance based on their match up. Maine returns 12 lettermen and eight starters including six seniors. Maine will be led by junior Elizabeth Deletetsky in the keeper position.

Last season the Black Bears went 6-6-7 for the season and were 3-3-3 in the America East Conference for a fifth place finish. Head coach Scott Atherley has amassed an 84-72-22 record in his ten years with the Black Bears. Idaho State picks up the Maine game as they sweep through Utah to play Weber State. The Bengals will not have to return the game in Orono, Maine.

ISU continues to keep an eye on Big Sky opponents. Last week Portland State defeated Oregon State 1-0 in Corvallis, Oregon, then fell 3-1 to Boise State at home. Weber State defeated Westminster College 2-1 in Ogden, Utah. Northern Arizona fell to Utah State 2-0 in Logan, Utah, but defeated Southern Utah 2-0 for a shutout. Sacramento State opened with a 1-1 tie to UC Davis in California. Montana dropped a 3-0 decision to Gonzaga in Spokane.