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| Doug Lindley/Idaho State Journal |
It was a mere 18 days ago when ISU pummeled the College of Idaho in an exhibition game 9-0. Eight players scored, and the Bengals rode that momentum to two victories on Davis Field against Boise State (2-1 OT) and Idaho (2-0).
The Big Sky named Amanda Ellsworth and Allyson Stainbrook the conference’s offensive and defensive players of the week, respectively, and ISU looked like a club that was gelling into a deadly unit with offensive firepower and a stiff defense.
But then the Bengals traveled south to Lubbock, Texas, and the Red Raiders of Texas Tech smashed ISU 3-0, while holding a shot advantage of 27-1.
“The second we faced adversity, we crumbled and hard,” said Bengals head coach Allison Gibson. “We didn’t go down there (to Texas Tech) and play our soccer. ... I mean, we literally didn’t do anything well down there.
“So that was very eye opening to me as a coach to be like, ‘wow, OK, we’re good when everything’s good. But when it’s not good, who are we?’ We’re trying to find for ourselves.”
The problems down in Texas were only magnified last Tuesday. A two-hour lightning delay forced Idaho State and Utah Valley to battle in Holt Arena. Ninety minutes later, the Wolverines left Pocatello with a 4-2 victory, the most goals the Bengals have allowed at home since Sept. 22, 2011 when they gave up five in a loss to Utah Valley.
At times, ISU’s attacking forwards played passively. In fact, Stainbrook, from her holding midfield position, recorded the most shots on the team on her way to posting both of ISU’s goals.
It’s a positive that Stainbrook could insert her game on the offensive end. The senior from South Jordan, Utah, has played strictly in the Bengals’ backline since her sophomore season.
“I’m still close to the backline, but I feel more of a freedom to be able to go up and be able to start combining with the forwards. I think it’s fun in that regard,” Stainbrook said after the game Tuesday.
She may have to briefly move back to her old position for a game since junior defender Mikaela Carrillo picked up two yellow cards against Utah Valley. Carrillo has to sit out today’s match versus Utah State.
The Aggies are 3-0-1 this season with victories against Creighton, Utah Valley and UTEP, and they’re coming of a double-overtime 2-2 tie versus Nebraska last Monday.
Like many of Idaho State’s opponents this year, Gibson says Utah State is a tough bunch.
“They’re always a strong team, very well coached (and) very disciplined,” she said. “Another physical team; I think that’s become a theme in our opponents.”
Gibson is 2-3-1 all time against the Aggies, including 1-1-1 at Davis Field.
It’s a game, as they all are until conference action starts, where Idaho State will continue to tweak its rotation.
“We’re trying to get the best chemistry, but I think at the same time we have to keep an eye on the scoreboard,” Gibson said, “because, obviously, that’s critical. If we start to drop too many games then it starts to become a mental challenge as well.
“We don’t really want to get into that. We’ll play to win (today), but we’ll still try to continue to build who we are.”
The Bengals and Aggies kickoff at noon.
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