The Bengal Sports Staff

POCATELLO, Idaho – A first-half penalty kick was enough for Boise State to escape Davis Field with a 1-0 win Sunday afternoon as the Bengals nearly matched the Broncos shot total.

The Bengals were outshot 18-16 but eight of Boise State’s (2-1-1) attempts were on goal, compared to Idaho State’s (1-2-0) three.

The game’s only goal came in the 16th minute as Bronco senior, Baylee Blaser, was fouled in the box, resulting in the penalty kick. Blaser connected to the upper right corner, just out of reach of ISU senior goalkeeper Shawna Hennings, who had seven saves on the afternoon.

Idaho State (1-2-0) dominated the game early, rattling off five unanswered shots to begin the game and earning three corner kicks in the first 13 minutes but was unable to capitalize.

“I thought we did some things OK, but I think we took a couple steps backwards,” said head coach Allison Gibson said. “I think the most frustrating thing for us as a group today was that first half. We looked tired, we didn’t get to balls, the 50-50 balls, all those things, for whatever reason…they heard about it at halftime. I thought we came out and played a much better second half. But unfortunately, by that point, we had dug ourselves a hole and we were just trying to come out of that hole.”

In the second half, Idaho State rallied and outshot Boise State 9-5, but only two of those attempts were on goal. Broncos’ goalkeeper Janelle Flores collected two second-half saves, preventing the win for Boise State.

“It’s only our third game of the season, and I think as we continue to learn and come out of that bad performance in the first half and make adjustments, things are going to get better,” Gibson said.

Idaho State returns to play Friday, September 1 against Utah State at 4 p.m. at Davis Field.