Under the bright lights at Davis Field, with the backdrop of mountains piercing the night sky, two teams separated by 600 miles of Idaho highways squared off. After 90 minutes, they remained unseparated on the scoreboard as the Idaho Vandals and Idaho State Bengals played to a 0-0 draw to open conference play.
In a game with few high-quality scoring chances, both defenses shined and kept zeros on the scoreboard.
The Vandals, wanting to get off to a fast start, came out connecting passes and building their attack. The Bengals offered little going forward, dropping back to play conservatively and forcing Idaho to break them down, an effort the Vandals couldn’t manage to accomplish.
Redshirt sophomore forward Calli Chiarelli and junior forward Georgia Whitehead were bright spots going forward, stretching the Bengal back line with their speed and 1-v-1 ability.
Freshman midfielder Alyssa Hamilton, who has burst into the starting lineup over recent games, was one of the Vandals’ best players in the first half. Her defensive work rate, tackles, and passing ability provided a boost, though Idaho couldn’t capitalize and went to halftime tied 0-0.
Hamilton impressed the coaching staff throughout the summer and early fall, earning a promotion from the bench after replacing junior midfielder Tori Peters in the starting lineup.
The Bengals’ conservative style didn’t change in the second half. Despite the Bengals nine second-half shots, none seriously challenged redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Paula Flores.
The night’s best chance came from Bengal redshirt junior Saydree Cooke, who is coming off a season-ending injury a year ago and has been the spark Idaho State needed this season.
In the 86th minute, after a Vandal corner kick and header fell to the top of the box, it became a foot race one that Cooke won. She used her track speed to win the ball in the Bengal box and raced toward the goal. With only junior center back Izzy Thoma standing between her and the net near midfield, Cooke dribbled past the defender in a test of speed and will.
Feeling pressure from Thoma and other recovering defenders, Cooke fired a shot that sailed wide, keeping the match scoreless.
The Vandals will continue their road trip with a short drive to Ogden, Utah, where they’ll face the red-hot Weber State Wildcats on Sunday, Sept. 28 at noon as they look for their first conference win.
Jayden Barfuss can be reached at [email protected].