An end to a turbulent season came Friday for Idaho soccer. Conference leader Seattle U proved to be too much for the Vandals, as they showed why they were favored to win the WAC Tournament, beating Idaho 6-1.
In the past week Idaho has played Seattle three times, losing two matches last weekend yet still securing the fourth place seed in the WAC Tournament off of the shortcomings of Cal State-Bakersfield which also lost both of its matches.
Idaho, which has seen four straight bids in the conference tournament, was picked in the preseason in the Coaches Poll to finish second in the conference but had trouble delivering on the expectations.
Idaho’s slow start may have been due to the collective inexperience of the team that has 12 freshmen and a starting goalie that saw no playing time last season.
Whatever the reasons behind the slow start to the season, Idaho lost all seven of their pre-conference games.
Conference play started on Sep. 22 for Idaho as head coach Pete Schowler said many times “it’s the start to a new season.” In a few ways he was right, only conference games determine whether a team makes it to the end-of-the-season tournament and
Idaho started off strong giving a glimmer of hope that they would live up to the expectations put on them before the season started.
Idaho won their first two conference games against new WAC entry Grand Canyon and New Mexico State.
Coming off of the pair of wins, Idaho lost in overtime to eventual second seed Kansas City in overtime then turned around the next week beating Utah Valley.
In the next eight games played over five weeks Idaho only won one match, against last place New Mexico State.
After conference play had finished, Idaho was placed fifth behind Grand Canyon but due to stipulations upon entering Division I, was ineligible for post conference play for one year. Idaho by default got the fourth place seed in the tournament.
Hopes were high for Showler and his team going into the tournament despite the on-and-off year that the team had. Idaho has never defeated Seattle since the two teams faced off five years ago and Friday’s match did not deviate from the standard put down over the years.
“We lost to the better team,” Showler said. “Their movement caused us a lot of problems and we did not get it taken care of.”
Seattle did not allow Idaho the chance to take the upset, they scored the first five goals of the match and did not allow Idaho to take their first shot until the 61 minute from freshman Elexis Scholssarek.
Idaho avoided the shut-out when senior Chelsie Breen got her first goal of the season with an assist from Schlossarek.
“I was happy with the second half,” Sholwer said. “We came out and played with a little bit more passion. We got a goal there which is always good for the morale. All credit to Seattle U. I wish them well.”
Curtis Ginnetti can be reached at [email protected]