Box score

The University of Montana women’s soccer team suffered its tenth loss of the season Thursday afternoon in Pocatello, Idaho.  The Grizzlies (2-10-0) fell to Idaho State (6-4-0) 3-1, with all scoring action taking place before the half.  Bengal goals came from Christina Beseris, Annamarie Hofstetter and Laura Perez, while Montana’s sole goal was scored by Kiki Blake.

The Bengals would open scoring in the sixth minute of play off a 30 yard chip by Besaris. The scoring progression would be credited to Megan Stainbrook and Ashley Jones.

The second Idaho State goal would result from Hofstetter break away with a shot from 10 yards in front of Montana keeper Grace Harris.  The assist would be credited to Jones and also involve Lauren Hough.

Blake, a Montana junior scored in the 21^st minute as she cut hard to the left of the Bengal goal, curving a left-footer back to the right corner, over keeper Bailey Williams.  The ball would strike the post in the upper right-hand corner of the goal and bounce deep into the net.  The assist would be credited to Montana points leader Kaitlyn Heinsohn.

The last goal would be recorded in the final minute of the first half, resulting from a Jones break away and a shot to the bottom right corner of the Grizzly goal.

 The second half would remain scoreless.  The final shot count would put Idaho State ahead of Montana 30-7.

Following the loss, an ever-optimistic Montana coach Neil Sedgwick would say, “The game was a story of two halves for our girls. Idaho State played consistently, yet in the first 45 minutes we appeared hesitant.  In the second half, we came out with aggression, no hesitation and attack-minded. 

“Specifically in the second half, we got the ball consistently into the Idaho State danger zone, getting in crosses upon which we just couldn’t get that necessary touch.”

When asked about the implications of a loss to the team that trailed the Big Sky in eighth place last season, Sedgwick is quick to discount year-to-year comparisons, saying, “We just saw a great team that is performing very well.  They have improved from the team that we saw play at the Idaho  Governor’s Cup, only a month ago. Plus- Idaho State is always a threat at home. They play very well in Pocatello and tonight proves that.”

Sunday the Grizzlies return to Missoula to play Weber State.  The Wildcats, though winning the Big Sky conference last season, lost their home opener to Eastern Washington in Ogden 1-0.  With this loss, Weber adds to a six-game losing streak. The Wildcats will meet Montana Sunday at 1:00PM with a record of 4-7-0.

Both Sedgwick and the Grizzly squad are excited to return to South Campus Stadium after playing 10 matches on the road this fall. The Montana coach said, “It will be great to be back in front of our own crowd again.  The team is excited to bring the momentum from a great second half tonight home to meet Weber this weekend.”

Live stats for Sunday’s match will be available at www.montanagrizzlies.com.