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POCATELLO, Idaho- The Idaho State women's soccer team is one game away from playing in the NCAA tournament. After 110 minutes to game was tied at 1-1 but the Bengals beat the Wildcats in a shootout 4-3 to advance to play Montana on Sunday at 1 p.m. for the Big Sky Tournament championship and the right to advance to the NCAA tournament.
“We talked about remembering what got us here,” Idaho State coach
Allison Gibson said. “We played what was dealt to us, stuck to our goals and never gave up. “
After a scoreless first half, Weber State's Chansi Crompton scored at 56:07 to give the Wildcats a 1-0 lead. Then with less than three minutes remaining in regulation
Amanda Ellsworth scored her ninth goal of the season on a put back shot off a deflection from the Weber State goalie to tie the game at one.
“She just glows with confidence,” Gibson said. “Through conference her confidence has just built and built. She is the one who led us into penalty kicks.”
In the shootout Idaho State converted on their first three penalty kicks while freshman
Sheridan Hapsic made a save. After a save by Wildcat goalie Ryann Waldman Hapsic came up with her second save of the shootout and
Rachel Strawn connected on her kick to give the Bengals the victory.
“We have practiced these for the last three weeks knowing that a match could come to penalty kicks,” Gibson said. “I was confident in our shooters, I really was. I knew they could get it done. I was hoping Sheridan could make that one save. She was great. I knew Sheridan was going to be great from day one.”
Weber State had 12 shots for the game while Idaho State had 10. ISU had five shots on goal and the Wildcats had four. Hapsic made three saves.
Idaho State plays No. 3 seed Montana on Sunday at 1 p.m. Montana beat No. 2 seed Portland State 3-2 in regulation in the first semi-final game.
“They are a great squad,” Gibson said on Montana. “Montana is such a strong team and have a really strong attack.”
