An invitation to the end of the season WAC Tournament is within the Idaho soccer team’s grasp. The possible invitation to the tournament may be out of Idaho’s control, depending on the outcome of not only their two-match weekend against WAC leader Seattle U but also that of Cal State-Bakersfield’s pair of matches.
File photo by Curtis Ginnetti | Argonaut
Freshman forward Kavita Battan goes for a header off of a corner kick against Utah Valley Oct. 20 at Guy Wicks Field. The Vandals take on Seattle for Senior Day at 1 p.m. Sunday at Guy Wicks Field.
Only the top four ranked teams get an invitation to the tournament on Nov 7. Idaho, with a conference record of 4-6, is ranked fifth behind Grand Canyon with a record of 4-7-1. However, as part of Grand Canyon’s entrance into the WAC, they are ineligible for postseason play for one year.
For Idaho to receive the much-wanted invitation, they must match the sixth place Cal State-Bakersfield in play this weekend.
Idaho will be playing two matches against an undefeated in conference play Seattle team. Cal State-Bakersfield is facing an easier set of matches — first playing third place Missouri-Kansas City then last place New Mexico State.
“We know what we need to get done this weekend and at this point it’s up to us … we are more worried about what we are doing than what Bakersfield is doing. I think the pressure is there regardless,” senior Mary Condon said.
Idaho is the sole team in conference that has yet to face the conference leader.
“They have stood out head and shoulders, ahead of anybody else. We haven’t played them, we haven’t seen them. Historically, when we have played them they have been a very well coached team, very athletic and dynamic … in those respects we know what to expect,” Idaho coach Pete Showler said.
Since the two teams first met up, back in the 2008-09 season, Idaho has yet to beat Seattle. In the five game series, Seattle has outscored Idaho 11-2, shutting out Idaho in three matches.
“It’s definitely going to be a tough game. Seattle is a good team and always come out and play a good brand of soccer so we have to come out hard and see if we can get some goals against them, work around their strong back line,” Condon said.
Because Idaho has yet to meet up with Seattle this season, the two teams will be involved in an anomaly, in that the teams will play each other twice in the same weekend.
Friday’s game will be hosted at Seattle’s Championship Field. On Sunday, Idaho will host its last game of the season at home for Senior Day.
Senior Day is the day in which Showler and his staff shows their gratitude for what he calls his Vandal family — specifically the seniors who have put in years of work with the team.
Condon said that Friday’s match will be an emotional one; not only because her large family is coming to watch the match but also because of the support she knows her team will show and has showed over the past four years.
Curtis Ginnetti can be reached at arg-sports.uidaho.edu