The preseason non-conference slate for the Boise State Broncos has been one of disappointment and frustration. It started off with a victory against a struggling Idaho State side and has not seen a W since, taking an eight-game winless streak into their league openers last weekend for the Midwest Conference.
The good news, though, was that the team was extremely competitive in every match, never losing by more than one goal no matter the opponent. The dropped a pair of 1-0 decisions against Seattle U and UC-Irvine before a pair of 2-1 losses in Oregon to the Ducks and Beavers of the PAC-12. That was followed by a pair of 1-0 defeats against two of the top four projected teams in the Big Sky at Montana and against Idaho. A trip to eastern Washington in their final non-conference week saw a dramatic 3-3 draw at Gonzaga in which they rallied from two down and a tough 2-1 loss to perennial NCAA tourney entrant Washington State.
On Friday, that streak came to an end. Picked to finish fifth in the preseason poll, the Broncos were playing host to Wyoming, who was chosen fourth, and took care of business with a 1-0 victory. They followed that up on Sunday with a 2-1 overtime victory against Colorado State.
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Friday, September 23
Wyoming 0 :: 1 Boise State
A long ball from Kayla Tucker in the 21st minute created the only goal the Broncos would need as the defense forced 14 of Wyoming's 16 shots off target. Raimee Sherle (Meridian, ID)beat the pursuing back line to the ball and chipped the keeper from the edge of the box to put the Broncos on the board. In goal Janelle Flores made two stops for the shutout, the team's first of the year. MORE [+]
Washington State 0 :: 1 Colorado
In their PAC-12 opener, the Cougars struggled to find the back of the net despite outshooting the Buffs 23-8 for the contest. The two were locked in a stalemate until the visitors broke through with just under two minutes remaining on the clock, scoring on their only shot on goal. MORE [+]
Idaho State 0 :: 3 Eastern Washington [Photos +]
Idaho 4 :: 1 Montana
Big Sky Tonight Round-Up [+]
Sunday, September 25
Colorado State 1 :: OT :: 2 Boise State
Freshman Raimee Sherle (Meridian, ID) was the hero again for the Broncos, driving through the defense inside the box to finish from about six yards out seven minutes into overtime. It capped a dramatic contest for BSU, which had fallen behind in the 52nd when a loose ball on a corner was put away by the visitors. A penalty in the 84th, created when Baylee Blaser (Boise, ID) was tripped driving into the box, pulled the Broncos even when Hailey DeVries knocked it home. The victory gave BSU its first 2-0-0 start since joining the conference. MORE [+]
Idaho 1 :: OT :: 2 Eastern Washington [Photos +]
Idaho State 0 :: 2 Montana
Big Sky Tonight Round-Up [+]
ELSEWHERE: Averie Collins (Bozeman, MT) set up the second goal and tallied the third for Stanford Saturday in their PAC-12 opening 3-0 win versus Oregon... In Portland's final non-conference contest, the Pilots earned a 1-0 overtime victory against UC-Irvine thanks to an assist from Jess Kennedy (Spokane, WA) in the 97th minute.
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Friday, September 23
UNLV 0 :: 2 Gonzaga
The Zags returned home and rebounded from a two-loss road trip the week before with a two-goal second half to grab a victory over the Rebels. Isaiah Jackson fed Colton Cavey seven minutes after the break to grab the advantage and Jalen Crisler nodded in a free kick from Brayden Sullivan in the 70th to add some insurance. Ben Willis made three saves for the shutout. MORE [+]
Sunday, September 25
Gonzaga 1 :: 4 Air Force
The two sides were in a stalemate until a cross was nodded in by the hosts in the 43rd minute. They then got a pair of goals in the 56th and 67th to grab a commanding three-goal lead before Jake Kempf scored in a one-on-one opportunity against the goalkeeper in the 76th. Air Force restored the three-goal margin, though, in the 84th. MORE [+]
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