BSU shines on senior day

October 29, 2007

Boise, ID (CSTV U-WIRE) -- The Boise State soccer team remained in sole possession of first place in the Western Athletic Conference and secured its spot in the conference tournament by knocking off Nevada, 3-2, Sunday.

The day was special for many reasons. It was senior day for the Broncos (8-5-3 overall, 4-0-1 WAC), who wore pink uniforms in support of breast cancer awareness.

"I can't say enough about these girls and all the hard work they put in everyday," BSU Head Coach Steve Lucas said. "They give it everything they've got and work hard from start to finish every match."

Lucas wanted to honor his seniors by starting all 10 against the Wolfpack.

"It was something we wanted to do and we knew they would come through for us," Lucas said. "They played great and put us in a good position to win."

The Broncos would strike first when senior Samantha Gambala shot a header off of a cross assist from senior Erin Wofford to put BSU up 1-0 9:38 into the match.

"It was very exciting," Gambala said. "The pass from Erin was a perfect ball and I was able to finish it because my defender got behind me, so it feels good to get that goal and help the team put some points up on the board."

Meanwhile, Nevada was quick to respond as the Wolfpack countered with back-to-back goals to go ahead 2-1.

"They worked us over pretty good and were very competitive out there," Lucas said. "We just knew that we were a team that plays tough on both ends of the ball. We work hard to find ways to win."

With the clock working against them BSU tied the game when freshman Cheyenne Jones took a beautiful pass from freshman Shannon Saxton through the middle and punched in the tying goal.

"Everything came together for us at that point," Gambala said. "We needed goals and we got them just in time."

"She does a great job for us and gave us a goal when we needed it most," Lucas said. "It was our day out here today and the girls really made it happen for us and so this is special."

The win guarantees the Broncos a spot in the WAC tournament, but first BSU must close out the regular season. Two tough road tests remain for the Broncos. BSU will travel to Hawaii to take on the Warriors Friday, and then travel to California to face San Jose State on Sunday.

"It's going to be tough and that is all we are thinking about at this point," Lucas said. "We'll enjoy today and what it means for our seniors and this team, but then we will start focusing on Hawaii."

Boise State Seniors

Katie Keller Mid-fielder Eagle, Idaho 2007 - Played in all 15 games Career - Six points on three goals

Melanie Bohnet Mid-fielder Mukilteo, Wash. 2007 - Played in all 15 games, recorded one assist Career - Three goals and four assists

Erin Wofford Mid-fielder Santa Rosa, Calif. 2007- 4 goals on 29 shots in 15 games, six assists and 13 total points Career - 35 goals and 24 assists

Samantha Gambala Forward Oxnard, Calif. 2007 - One goal and five points scored in 11 games played Career - Two goals and three assists during career

Alli Tsuchida Defender Honolulu, Hawaii 2007 - Two assists, played in 15 games Career - One goal and three assists

Jessica Hobdey Defender Pocatello, Idaho 2007 - Two points scored in 15 games Career - Two assists

Sophie Parrish Mid-fielder Meridian, Idaho 2007 - One goal, two assists, four points in 10 games Career - Three goals and six assists

Nicole Tadman Defender Lake Forest, Calif. 2007 - Two assists, two points in 15 games Career - Three goals and four assists

Michaela Morrison Goal Keeper Boise, Idaho 2007 - Played in just six games as a senior Career - Recorded 79 saves

Brittney Dugger Mid-fielder Richland, Wash. 2007 - One goal and two points in 15 games Career - 17 goals and 15 assists

Natalie Griffin Mid-fielder Las Vegas, Nev. 2007- Played in nine games, two shots on goal Career - Won Top Bronco Award for leadership in 2006

(C) 2007 The Arbiter via CSTV U-WIRE