ISU Bengal

Issue date: 4/23/08 Section: Sports

Unquestionably the anticipation was high as the Idaho State soccer team took the field for their 2007 season. Having won the Big Sky Championship and a near victory in the NCAA tournament in 2006, fans anticipated a big year for the Bengals. But a funny thing happened on the way to the Big Sky...

The Bengals ended the season with an overall record of 7-5-6, but were 2-2-3 in the Big Sky and missed out on postseason play, finishing in sixth place. In soccer, the Big Sky doesn't go by win/loss percentage, but tallies points for wins and ties in such a way that the Bengals were edged out in the standings even by Eastern who had a losing record but more wins. Perhaps Coach Allison Gibson said it best: "Overall, coming off of a championship I would have to say it was a disappointment."

It was the tie games which loomed larger than life for Idaho State who had trouble scoring in the middle of the season, having five ties in seven games at one point. At times there seemed to be a force field blocking the net, since the ball would go everywhere but in. It was a frustration for fans, coaches and players alike.

Despite the disappointment, Gibson says there were things to be excited about. Idaho State was undefeated at home for the first time, going 6-0-2 with the fewest overall losses the Bengals have ever had.

Gibson is also excited about the 2008 season, as the second recruiting class under her tenure brings in 10 new players added to the eight or nine from the previous year. Gibson says the team will be young and quick, and she sees a few making an impact right away, including Ashley Askwig out of Salt Lake City in the midfield and Michelle Harrison from Danville California at goalkeeper. They will challenge a returning Maren Eves who will help to defend the net for one more year. Eves, who will be a fifth year senior in the fall, redshirted all but half a game in her first season, and after petitioning the NCAA, she will be allowed to come back and play one more season.

So, while 2007 had its challenges, look for Bengal Soccer to come alive in the fall, particularly if they can channel the frustration of 2007's near misses into greater intensity on the field in 2008.

Coach Gibson sees the fans as a key component of the team's success. "You know, Davis Field is a great stadium. The fans really make a difference and are a 12th player for us. We'd love to keep that support up and make them have something to cheer about."

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