CEDAR CITY, Utah - The Idaho State soccer team fell behind early but rallied for a 2-1 victory Friday at Southern Utah.

The Thunderbirds struck first in the 16th minute when Riley Bassett scored as a result of a throw-in.

In the 30th minute, the Bengals equalized when freshman Ashley Jones headed in a free kick from senior Annamarie Hofstetter. Coach Allison Gibson said Jones made a break when Hofstetter approached the ball and headed it in with her back to the goal. It's was Jones' second goal of the season.

"It was awesome," Gibson said by cell phone.

Hofstetter then scored the game-winning goal in the 80th minute when she drove a free kick past the Southern Utah defense. The ball clipped the foot of a Thunderbirds defender, and the scorekeeper ruled it an own goal. The Bengals will appeal the ruling.

Gibson switched things up at times during the match and put Hofstetter, normally a midfielder, on the front line of the attack for stretches.

"We saw her raise her game a little bit," Gibson said of Hofstetter. "She stepped up big for us. Getting a goal and an assist from her was huge."

Overall, Idaho State recorded 11 shots to Southern Utah's six, although all six of the Thunderbirds' were on goal while only eight of the Bengals' were.

The game was much different than the last time Idaho State played in Cedar City. In that 2007 match, the Bengals left with a 7-1 rout.

"That was a really, really much-improved SUU team," Gibson said. "That's the best I've seen out of them."

The Bengals (2-1-0) have now won two straight one-goal victories and will carry a lot of momentum into their home opener Sunday against Maine.

"It helps. It definitely helps," Gibson said of the second consecutive close win. "We didn't play the prettiest soccer. It was hot, they were tired and it really built our character. These kids have so much heart and passion, and that's what makes it fun for me."