Clara Gomez got involved in the offense, Amanda Poertner didn’t let anything past her and the Idaho Vandals soccer team shutout the New Mexico State Aggies 3-0 in the home opener for the Vandals Friday at Guy Wicks Field.
Gomez, a junior midfielder, picked up an assist in all three goals for the Vandals.
“I thought we started off with the energy and the enthusiasm that we needed,” Idaho coach Derek Pittman said. “We hadn’t had that in the first two games. We had started out flat. It was great to come out and get two early goals and keep the pressure on New Mexico State.”
Freshman goalkeeper Amanda Poertner earned her first shutout of her collegiate career while adding seven saves.
The Vandals got on the board with a goal by sophomore forward Olivia Baggerly in the 20th minute.
Junior forward Kavita Battan gave the ball up to Gomez and Gomez passed the ball to Baggerly in the box who finished the play with a goal.
Freshman forward Kayla Watanabe continued her offensive surge with a goal about six and one-half minutes later, her second goal of the young season. Junior midfielder Elexis Schlossarek started the scoring play by passing the ball to Gomez on a free kick. Gomez got it to Watanabe who put the ball in the net.
Redshirt freshman forward Kaitlyn Joy scored her first career collegiate goal in the 77th minute. Gomez started the play by passing to Baggerly who found Joy.
“That third goal, ultimately, was the nail in the coffin and it really helped us settle down and end the game the right way,” Pittman said. “I’m really proud of the team for earning the shutout.”
Idaho (2-1) will hit the road and play Boise State Friday in Boise at 3 p.m.
Garrett Cabeza can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @CabezaGarrett