Idaho State vs. Boise State post-game blog

Doug Lindley/Idaho State Journal

Idaho State 2, Boise State 1, OT

For a full game recap, click here.

Star of the game: Allyson Stainbrook. The senior defender dominated. Her influence on the pitch helped ISU stave off a Broncos side that had 11 more shots and three more corner kicks. After the game, Idaho State coach Allison Gibson said, “The kid is such a true competitor and such a great leader — and the perfect captain. She’s developed that level of respect with her teammates that she can say and ask anything of them or demand anything of them and they have to respond.

“Because she, literally day in and day out, proves herself on the field. To me, that’s the big reason she is the captain. And that’s the easy way to look at leadership.”

Second star: Bengals starting goalkeeper, Sheridan Hapsic. Hapsic finished with seven saves, and several were highlight worthy.

After Hapsic finished last season as the MVP of the Big Sky Conference tournament, it seemed like she’d have firm control of the position this year. But with redshirt-junior Carly Maloney and junior Maria Deal Cruz on the Bengals roster, too, Gibson kept the goalkeeping position wide open in fall camp.

Against the Broncos, Hapsic showed why she’s ISU’s best keeper.

“It’s her position to lose,” Gibson said, though, she did add that each of the three GKs will play during the preseason. In case Hapsic goes down with an injury (cue knocking on wood, Bengal fans), Gibson wants Maloney or Dela Cruz ready, especially once conference play begins.

Third star: Any ISU fans who remained to watch Amanda Ellsworth bang home the game-winning goal in sudden-death OT after a 55-minute weather delay.

A 90-minute soccer game took three hours, and rather than the scorching 98 degree days Pocatello has had the past month it was rather cool and wet. So, solid effort crazy Bengal fans. (And it doesn’t hurt that those who did stay watched an awesome finish.)