The Broncos are set to welcome the Bengals to the Boise Soccer Complex on August 30, with kickoff scheduled for 1 p.m. MT. The matchup marks the latest chapter in a series that has seen Boise State dominate the all‑time ledger, holding a 13‑8‑3 edge overall and an 8‑2‑1 advantage on home turf.
Idaho State arrives with a modest 1‑1‑1 record after a 3‑3 draw against UNLV on August 27. The Bengals have shown resilience but will need to overcome a Boise State side that has remained unbeaten at home for three consecutive seasons, posting a 22‑5‑6 record over that span.
Family Connections Add Intrigue
Beyond the statistics, the game carries a personal storyline. The Bell family, long‑time supporters of Idaho State, will see three of its members on the field: Tambree Bell facing her sisters Saydree Cooke and Devree Bell, while Jordan Cooke, a fifth‑year Bengal, also prepares to compete. Parents Jamie and Troy Bell previously wore the Bengal jersey, underscoring a deep‑rooted connection between the programs.
Freshman forward Campbell Wilson has already made a splash, earning Pac‑12 Newcomer of the Week honors after scoring three goals and adding two assists in her first two collegiate matches. Her back‑to‑back goals make her the first Boise State freshman to achieve the feat since Aubree Chatterton in 2017, and her seven‑goal start to the season is the most prolific since 2008.
Wilson’s rapid ascent continued as she was named Idaho Gatorade Player of the Year for both the 2024‑25 and 2025‑26 seasons, a testament to her high school dominance that carried over into college. The coaching staff praised her work ethic, noting that her contributions have helped the Broncos score seven goals in their opening two matches.
Leadership and Recognition
Head coach Jim Thomas, now in his 14th season at the helm, ranks second among current Pac‑12 coaches in career wins with a 142‑79‑49 record. Under his guidance, Boise State has captured three consecutive Mountain West regular‑season titles and entered the 2026 campaign as the two‑time defending champion.
The Broncos’ defensive backbone, anchored by Ava de Leest, returns after a stellar 2025 campaign that earned her Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year, Newcomer of the Year, and first‑team All‑Mountain West honors. Joining her on the United Soccer Coaches Watch List are defenders Kaitlyn Slocum and Jillian Anderson, highlighting the program’s national visibility.
Beyond individual accolades, four Broncos — Olivia Collins, Madie Donovan, Hayden Rallo, and Kaitlyn Slocum — saw action in the USL W League over the summer, gaining valuable experience that should translate into stronger performances for the upcoming match.
As the kickoff approaches, the atmosphere in Boise is electric. Fans anticipate a contest that blends historic rivalry, familial drama, and the emergence of a new star in Campbell Wilson. Whether the Broncos will extend their unbeaten home streak or the Bengals will pull off an upset remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the match promises to be a defining moment in both teams’ seasons.