Soccer is a Kick in the Grass....

The first week of practice for the Bengals has been filled with a mile run, tough work outs, rain and plenty of sweat. Photographic services took a peek at the Bengals during a practice so that we can share it with the fans. In a team with ten freshman the Bengals have been working on cohesion and unity amidst a strong offensive strike. Freshman standouts include Ashley Jones and Laura Perez who have posted several goals during scrimmage drills. Returners who will surely see more time on the field include senior defenders Christina Beseris and Kacey Ball. Their hard work has shown on the field with their increased fitness level and stamina. This season the Bengals will be led by midfielder and all-time career assists leader Annamarie Hofstetter, forward Lauren Ryan, who was ISU’s lead scorer last season, as well as defender Karissa Henage-Fisher who was named to the Big Sky All-Conference First Team last season.

Kat Ford and Bailey Williams will be ISU’s goalkeepers for the 2009 season. Though Bailey competed in 12 games for 986:56 at goal the spot for this season’s keeper position is still up in the air. Williams who posted a 2-7-2 record last season, complete with two shutouts, had a goals against average of 1.46 and a .771 save percentage. Ford did not see much playing time last season as she competed in two games for a total of 78:39, however she allowed just one goal against Northern Colorado when the Bears were on a hot streak defeating ISU 6-2 in October. Ford posts a 1.14 goals against average and an .800 save percentage having amount four saves in her time at goal. Pictured in goal during an ISU practice is Kat Ford.

Previous assistant women’s soccer coach Lindsay Massengale is still competing in the Women’s Professional Soccer League for the FC Gold Pride in the Bay Area. Massengale earned a spot on the team after showing her skills during the team’s preseason camp. She has played four games and started in two as a defender for the FC Gold Pride and has played 193 minutes. Massengale has been replaced by assistant coach Becky Hogan, (see her in the photo on the left). It rained during practice and was unusually cold for the end of summer thus the beanie and rain jacket. Hogan comes to ISU with a great deal of knowledge having served as the head coach for the Utah Rush Soccer Club and Skyline High School in Salt Lake City. She also played professionally for the RushSLC (WPSL). In a fun connection both Hogan and Massengale played for the Boston Breakers of the WUSA.

Replacing Nakada in charge of the goalkeepers is assistant coach, and former ISU Bengal, Shannon Boyle. The team couldn’t be in better hands as Shannon is considered one of the best keepers in Idaho State history. In her time with ISU saw the Bengals earn three-straight Big Sky Conference Tournament titles and was named the Big Sky Tournament MVP in 2002 under the direction of Nakada.

Fans will be able to see the Bengals in action for the first time in an exhibition game against Northwest Nazarene on Tuesday, August 18 at 11:00 am at Davis Field.

---Katie Zigars, Asst. SID