Football –Oct. 17: Â Idaho defeats Troy 19-16
The Idaho football team was 1-4 when it took on Sun Belt Conference opponent Troy Oct. 17 on the road. The Vandals were coming off a bye so they may have been rested. But plane troubles ruined Idaho players and coaches’ chances of getting a good night’s sleep as the Vandals arrived in Alabama hours before the game. Idaho overcame the lack of sleep and beat Troy 19-16 for its first Sun Belt win of the season at the time. Idaho finished the season 4-8 overall and 3-5 in the Sun Belt.
Soccer – Oct. 25: Idaho defeats Northern Colorado 2-0
A 2-0 victory over Northern Colorado Oct. 25 on the road extended the Idaho soccer team’s unbeaten streak to nine games and resulted in the first conference championship in program history. Junior midfielder Clara Gomez put the Vandals on the board in the sixth minute following a cross into the box and junior midfielder Alyssa Lloyd added an additional goal in the 83rd minute to seal the win for Idaho. The victory marked the first time that a Big Sky team had won nine league games in a season and provided Idaho the opportunity to host the conference playoffs two weeks later.
Volleyball – Oct. 8: Idaho defeats Portland State 3-2
With a 1-3 start in Big Sky Conference play, the Vandals came into Oct. 8’s game against Portland State with a sense of urgency. Both teams fought intensely to outperform their opponent and after five sets, the Vandals were victorious. Three Vandal players ended the night with 10 or more kills with former Portland State Viking Tineke Bierma earning 18 kills in Idaho’s victory. It turned out to be Idaho’s turning point of the season as they won its first of three straight five-set wins and went on to finish first in the North Division the next month.
Men’s Golf –Oct. 3-4: Southern Dunes Collegiate
The Idaho men’s golf team hit the road to compete at the Southern Dunes Collegiate in Maricopa, Arizona, earlier this season. The team would go on to take the title, shooting a 4-under-par 860. Wyoming, the host team, came in a close second with a 1-over-par 865. The Vandals were led by senior Rylee Iacolucci, who tied for second with a 4-under-par 212. Iacolucci was one of five Vandals that finished in the top-25. Idaho will begin the spring season Feb. 19-21 at the Wyoming Desert Classic in Palm Springs, California.
Women’s Golf – Sep. 21-22: Washington State Cougar Cup
The Idaho women’s golf team’s best performance occurred at the Washington State Cougar Cup. Led by Idaho freshman Michelle Kim, the Vandals finished second to Washington State. In addition to Kim’s fourth place finish and 1-under-par 215 score, Idaho senior Kristin Strankman finished ninth with a 4-over-par 220. The Vandals will kick off their spring season Feb. 14-15 at the Texas State Delta Gamma Challenge in New Braunfels, Texas.