The University of Idaho women’s soccer team wrapped up their fall exhibition schedule.
Idaho finished with a 1-1 record when they faced the University of Utah and Central Washington University.
First, the Vandals faced Utah in Salt Lake City Aug. 10, who hail from the tough Pac-12 conference. Utah ended the matched with a win by a score of 1-0. The Utes were able to net a goal early off a failed clearance by the Vandals, and Utah’s Paola Van Der Veen was able to send a shot over the reaches of Idaho senior keeper Makayla Presgrave for the game’s only score. Despite the one goal allowed, Presgrave had a great night working in the net with eight saves, just one shy of her season high last year.
This was an exhibition game, a time for players to gain experience and prepare for the season at hand. Seven players made their debut as members of the team — four freshmen, two transfer students, and a redshirt freshman. Idaho was outshot in the game 23-6, including shots on goal, 9-4.
Idaho’s followed the contest with one against CWU Aug. 14. This was the first game of the season to take place in the Kibbie Dome.
The Vandals were able to finish with the win by a score of 2-0.
“I saw great confidence on the ball,” Idaho Head Coach Jeremy Clevenger said. “We moved the ball well. We were very organized defensively and we created a lot of opportunities. Twenty-two shots in a game, you can never be disappointed with that.”
The offensive attack improved over the first match
of the weekend. Junior forward Myah Merino scored early off shot from distance to put Idaho up. Senior midfielder Jordyn Dion also got in on the action, scoring from inside the box off of a free kick from freshman midfielder Maddie Haas.
“I think our transition was very strong,” Clevenger said. “I would like to see a little more quality in the final third, but we created a lot of opportunities with movement and pressure. And scoring a couple of goals was good for us tonight.”
In this match, more experience was given to the players, this time having 25 players see action.“It was an opportunity for a lot of players to play, a lot of players to get an opportunity to prove themselves,” Clevenger said. “And to be honest, I think we had several players step up in this last exhibition.”
Idaho now starts their regular season schedule, with their next match taking place against the University of Nevada Aug. 24 in Reno, Nevada.
Zack Kellogg can be reached at [email protected]