Bengals Advance To Soccer Championship Tanner Gooch - Big Sky Conference 11/6/2009
PORTLAND, Ore. (Nov. 6, 2009) – The Idaho State Bengals beat Eastern Washington in the first semifinal at the 2009 Big Sky Conference Soccer Championship on Friday to advance to Sunday’s Championship.
In a second-half surge the Bengals collected two goals from Jana Davis-Boehler to hold of an inspired Eagles squad at the PCC-Rock Creek.
Davis-Boehler chose the best time to have her best match of the season, as her two goals were her first two of the season. In another first, she was playing in her first road match of the season. Because of her heavy course load from her graduate studies, she was unable to travel with the team. With this being her final year of eligibility she made sure to make the trip to Portland.
The first half of the match resembled two boxers feeling each other out and neither team was able to gain an advantage. Idaho State freshman Laura Perez had the best opportunity of the half, just missing the goal wide left on a break away in the 23rd minute.
Much of the action unfolded in the second half as Davis-Boehler slotted both of her goals, the second came off and assist from Alex Hansen to push the lead to 2-0.
Eastern Washington continued to play tough and finally got on the board when Idaho State goalkeeper Bailey Williams was called for a foul in her box, leading to a penalty kick for the Eagles’ Brittney Doran. The senior pushed her shot past Williams inside the right post. After the goal the Eagles kept the pressure on but were unable to tally an equalizing goal.
Idaho State (10-7) will play in Sunday’s championship match at 11 a.m. Eastern Washington finished (7-9-2).
Regular-season champion Portland State is taking on Northern Arizona in the second semifinal.
