Written by Jake Zamora and Emilia Rose Nowinski
The Boise State women’s soccer team topped the Idaho State Bengals 3-1 at Boas Soccer Complex Sunday, bouncing back after its 17-game winning streak was snapped with a 2-0 loss to Texas Tech just last week.
The win moves the Broncos to 3-1-1 on the season and marks their 10th straight home victory, a testament to the true home-field advantage the program has built at Boas.
The Broncos showed early aggression on both sides of the ball, recording the game’s first shot on goal in the 10th minute and holding the Bengals without a shot on goal in the entire first half.
Just before the 19th minute, junior forward Sophie Schmautz found the net when she charged into an ambush of Bengals in a goalmouth scramble on a corner kick, scoring her second goal of the season and putting the Broncos in front 1-0.
“Honestly, with the corner kick, Max [Weber] always says we have to flex, so being able to get that second ball and getting it in the back of the net felt great,” Schmautz said.
Clean ball movement, strong communication and tight defense continued in the second half for Boise State, limiting the Bengals’ opportunities to generate any scoring.
The Broncos found insurance in the 50th minute when freshman midfielder Campbell Wilson hammered a shot into the top-right corner.
Three minutes later, with an assist from Wilson, Schmautz scored again, extending the Broncos’ lead and securing her first career brace.
Wilson, a former highly-touted high school prospect who was a two-time winner of the Gatorade Idaho Girls Soccer Player of the Year, was named Pac-12 Newcomer of the Week on Aug. 18 after scoring three goals in her first two career games.
Building off her early-season success on Sunday, the Meridian native credited her team when asked about the hot start to her college career.
“I’m very grateful for the awards that I’ve got, but I wouldn’t have been able to get that without my teammates and coaches,” Wilson said. “We push each other everyday in practice, and we’re continuing to get 1% better every single day… My work ethic and success comes from them, so I’m just very grateful to be a part of this program.”
In the closing minutes, Idaho State erased their goose egg when Saydree Cooke scored off an assist from Samantha Fenske.
Despite late life from the Bengals, Boise State bore down the remainder of regulation and secured the 3-1 victory.
Sunday’s match marked the third time this season the Broncos have scored three or more goals, collecting at least 15 shots in each of their first two home games.
Head coach Jim Thomas said the team’s growing chemistry and trust were evident in the victory.
“This team is starting to see what they’re capable of,” Thomas said. “They’re starting to trust one another and play fast. There were a lot more interactions, combinations and moving up the ball in the second half.”
The Broncos will return to Boas to face UC San Diego on Thursday, Sept. 3 at 7 p.m.
