The season may have ended in heartbreak for Idaho’s soccer program Sunday, but the team did not walk away from the pitch empty-handed this season.
A number of Vandals collected individual awards and recognition, including Big Sky Conference Coach of the Year honors for second-year head coach Derek Pittman.
“It was very humbling and a huge honor,” Pittman said. “I’m thankful that my coaching peers in the Big Sky feel that we’ve done enough as a staff to warrant such an award.
“I think this award truly goes to my coaching staff and players, but it just happens to have my name on it,” Pittman said.
After Idaho fell to Northern Colorado in the Big Sky Tournament title game, the conference released the all-tournament list as voted by the media. The Vandals snagged five of the 13 spots on the lineup.
Junior forward Kavita Battan and freshman goalkeeper Amanda Poertner joined junior midfielder Elexis Schlossarek and sophomore forward Olivia Baggerly in receiving all-tournament honors at the conclusion of Sunday’s match.
Freshman forward Kayla Watanabe also received the recognition after a breakout performance that consisted of a goal against Montana and an assist in the championship game.
“We always knew that she would have opportunities to break loose and score,” Pittman said. “Kayla has a tremendous engine and mentality that is very brave and courageous, and nothing was more evident than that when she scored the goal against Montana.”
The Vandals also received an abundance of awards when the Big Sky released the finalists of the annual all-conference team. The results were based on the votes from the 11 Big Sky head coaches.
Poertner received the nod for Goalkeeper of the Year after posting nine shutouts during the season, setting a new Idaho single-season record.
Junior midfielder Alyssa Lloyd, junior defender Amanda Pease and sophomore defender Josilyn Daggs joined Battan and Poertner on the first team all-conference roster after a 9-0-1 regular season in conference play.
Junior midfielder Clara Gomez was awarded a spot on the second team after setting a new Big Sky single-season record with 13 assists. Baggerly joined Gomez on the second team by scoring nine goals and providing seven assists for the Vandals.
Freshman defender Kelly Dopke received honorable mention after amassing 1,947 minutes on the pitch.
“In my opinion Kelly has the potential to be the Big Sky Defender of the Year multiple times over the next three years,” Pittman said. “She is very calm and composed and makes good decisions in the back and is everything you could want from a centerback.”
Pittman received Coach of the Year honors after a turnaround second season at Idaho, guiding the Vandals to the regular season title. Idaho mustered four wins last season.
“We have a group of players that all bought in and decided nine months ago to truly commit to doing what the coaching staff was asking of them,” Pittman said. “This is just an example of what can happen when they play together as a team and I feel blessed to be the leader of this group.”
Idaho produced the highest winning percentage (.738) in program history and set the team record for most goals in a season with 44.
Idaho concluded the 2015 season with a 14-5-2 record and the first regular season Big Sky title in program history.
Josh Grissom can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @GoshJrissom