POCATELLO, IDAHO --- The University of North Dakota soccer team put up a good fight in its final game of the season, but Idaho State took advantage of a strong first half to claim a 3-0 victory in Saturday's matchup in Pocatello, Idaho.
With the loss, North Dakota concludes its season with a 2-13-1 record and a 0-9-0 record in the Big Sky Conference. The win improves Idaho State's record to 11-5-1 on the season and 6-2-1 BSC play. It also seals ISU's regular season BSC co-champion title and allows the Bengals to host the conference tournament.
"It was a hard fought match," head coach Kristen Gay said. "Unlucky with the first goal against. I was proud that we kept fighting in such a hostile environment. We just have to reset our sights on next season. I do want to thank the four seniors as this program is indebted to them."
Idaho State controlled much of the first half, scoring two goals and edging North Dakota in shots 7-2 and corner kicks 5-0.
ISU's first goal came in the 23rd minute of the game, as Allyson Stainbrook scored off of a corner kick that bent into the net. This unassisted goal would give the Bengals a 1-0 lead.
Less than four minutes later, at the 26:16 mark, Idaho State's Amanda Ellsworth tallied her seventh goal of the season by finding the net from about five yards out. Madeline Gochnour was credited with the assist. ISU would take this 2-0 lead into the halftime break.
UND played tough in the second half, outshooting ISU 9-7 and forcing the Bengals' goaltender, Sheridan Hapsic, to make six saves.
Even with the strong second half effort by North Dakota, Idaho State added another goal to the scoreboard on a header by Ellsworth off of a corner kick. Ellsworth's second goal of the game (8th of the season) would give the Bengals their 3-0 victory.
North Dakota ended the game with eleven shots to Idaho State's 14. The matchup proved to be physical, as ISU finished with 14 fouls and UND finished with eleven. ISU was issued one yellow card, while UND was issued three yellow cards and a red card.
UND's goalkeeper, Kristi Hestdalen (Pierre, S.D.) tallied four saves in the losing effort. Junior, Noel Scherer (Fargo, N.D.), led North Dakota with four shots. Kaylynn Burgess (Henderson, Nev.), Jaymie Jackson (Anchorage, Alaska), and Rhaya Ballon (Rogers, Minn.) each contributed two shots to UND's offense in their final game of the 2012-13 season.
