ISU Bengal

Issue date: 4/25/07 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Photographic Services ISU women's soccer team

Media Credit: Photographic Services ISU women's basketball team

Well, the 2006-2007 school year is winding down, thank goodness, and that means it's time to take a look back at some of the highlights in the Bengal world of sports.

Football

The Football season started out with high hopes and an eye on the glory of a Big Sky Championship. Led by Senior Wolverine transfer quarterback, Matt Gutierrez, the Bengals looked to improve on their 2005 record of 5-6. This was not in the cards for the Bengals, as they finished with a dismal 2-9 record, their worst finish since 1988 when they went 0-11. However, this 2-9 record was good enough to earn Coach Larry Lewis a one-way ticket out of The Gate City, looking for a new job. With the termination of Lewis, Athletic Director Paul Bubb said, "In the best interest of the football program I believe a major change is necessary to return the program to a level we previously enjoyed." So, Bubb rolled up his sleeves along with a screening committee and went to work, finding new head Coach John Zamberlin. With Zamberlin at the helm, the Bengals are anxious to bounce back from a less than commendable season.

Volleyball

The Volleyball season for the Bengals wasn't as fruitful as they had hoped for. While they won their final match of the season against Utah State, the Bengals' conference tournament dreams were smashed as they finished the season with a 10-20 record overall. Kolay Mickelsen said the following in her final Bengal diary entry, "We would like to thank you for all of your support this season and we look forward to a great season next year. GO BENGALS!"

Soccer

Having finished the 2005 season with less than pleasing results and with the hiring of new head coach, Allison Gibson, the women's soccer team didn't know what to expect coming into the fall 2006 season. Things could only be better than they were just a season before. As the lady Bengals fell to a 4-7 start, a repeat of the previous season lurked in their minds. However, coach Gibson inspired the team which went on a tear to win 6 out of their next 7 seven games, along with a tie, earning them the Big Sky Championship, bragging rights, and a NCAA playoff birth. In the first round of the tournament, ISU faced the University of Utah, but unfortunately lost a heartbreaker in double overtime. Congrats on a great season Allison Gibson and the ISU women's soccer team.

Men's Basketball

It was definitely a season filled with coaching changes and the men's basketball team saw their change with the hiring of head Coach Joe O'brien. Coach "Sergeant" O'brien, brought discipline to the team and a winning attitude as well. The Bengals started the season off with an overtime loss to perennial powerhouse Marquette University, which at the time was ranked #16 in the nation. When conference play started the Bengals came out red hot with an impressive 5-0 start, but soon dwindled to a mediocre 8-8 finish. This was however, good enough to earn them a conference playoff birth for the first time since 2004. ISU wrapped up its season on the hardwood with an overtime loss to Montana, which trumped their dreams of an invitation to the "big dance" in March.

Women's Basketball

So, which Bengal sports team is the apple of our eye this season? My vote, along with Jon Newlee's, goes to the woman's basketball team. If you would have asked that question just a few weeks into the season, the answer wouldn't have been the same. The ISU women commenced the season with an embarrassing 0-6 start. This didn't get them down, and led by team standouts Natalie Doma, Andrea Lightfoot, and senior Jeni Boesel the Bengals bounced back in conference play. They would go on to earn an 11-5 conference record, good enough to secure the second seed in the conference tournament. In the tournament, the Bengals faced and downed neighbor and conference rival, Weber State to advance to the championship against Northern Arizona. ISU went on to win the conference title and a NCAA March Madness invitation. While the NCAA tournament game against #2 seed Stanford proved to be too much for the Bengals, they walked away champions and the apple of our eye for the 2006-2007 sports season. Good work ISU women's basketball team and good luck next season!

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