Boise State Opens MW Play with 2-1 Victory

Friday, September 21

Boise, Idaho

4:00 PM MT

Boise State

7-2-0

Nevada

3-4-2

Nevada

Boise State

Photo by: Boise State University

9/21/2018 7:37:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

Box Score

BOISE, Idaho – Boise State (7-2, 1-0) took care of business Friday at the Boas Soccer Complex, defeating Nevada (3-4-2, 0-1) by a score of 2-1 thanks to a brace from McKenna Kynett, as she scored in the 21st and 55th minutes. The win extends the Broncos' home winning streak to seven games (dating back to last season) and continues the best start to a season in program history.

The performance from Kynett marked the first multi-goal game of her career and pushed her season goal total to six. Fellow junior Kristina Serres earned the assists on both goals with her patented crosses from the right flank.

The Broncos were overwhelming offensively throughout the game, outshooting the Wolf Pack 29-7 and earning more corner kicks (8-2), as well, but the multitude of chances didn't produce as many goals as the team would have liked.

"I think Nevada is vastly improved, but if we do that (play like we did today) too often, we are going to make this run for a championship really, really hard on ourselves," head coach Jim Thomas said after the game. "I think what we did today was utilize talent to get a couple goals and get through a game where overall we weren't that great. There was a lack of punch today and a lack of incisiveness that we are renowned for. We need to make sure that our identity stays true this season. We'll face lots of foes, but we need to remain true to ourselves."

The two teams felt each other out for the first 15 minutes of the game, but the Bronco onslaught eventually began in the 15th minute when a good look for Aubree Chatterton went wide of the net. The Blue and Orange continued to successfully work through the Wolf Pack back line for the next five minutes until they were rewarded with Kynett's goal in the 21st minute.

Serres found some space on the right side and sent a perfect cross into the box, meeting the head of Kynett who redirected the ball into the back of the net for the 1-0 Bronco lead.
The Boise State offense continued to control Nevada for the remainder of the half, as the home team held a 14-0 advantage in shots after 45 minutes of play.

The visitors found the equalizer at the beginning of the second half, however, as Nevada's Angel Meriwether scored her first goal of the season in the 47th to tie the game at 1-1.

It didn't take long for the Broncos to respond, as it was another cross from Serres that triggered the game-winning goal in the 55th minute. Serres' cross made the Wolf Pack keeper come out the net to tap the ball away, but her the ball went right to Kynett, who quickly deposited the ball into the back of the net to make it a 2-1 game.

Boise State had multiple chances to double its lead over the course of the final 35 minutes of the game, but the 2-1 result would hold.

Raimee Sherle led all players with seven shots – five of which were on goal – while Lillie French was also active with five shots. Chatterton and Kynett also record four shots apiece.

Tara Fisher made one save as the Bronco back line played well with the exception of the lone Wolf Pack goal.

Boise State will now travel to Las Vegas to take on UNLV, Sunday, Sept. 23 at 2 p.m. MT. The Rebels (7-2-1, 1-0) also won their season-opening game tonight at Utah State, claiming the 1-0 result.