The rigid start to the season for Idaho soccer continues with another strenuous road trip ahead this weekend.
Sitting with a 2-4 record, Idaho Head Coach Jeremy Clevenger is on his first three-game losing streak since taking over the program in 2018.
In their last three losses, the Vandals have been outscored 8-1, with back to back 0-3 losses to Seattle University and UC Santa Barbara.
There is no reason to hit the panic button just yet. The non-conference schedule is meant to be tough and comes with its fair share of losses.
Last year in Clevenger’s first season, a loss to Washington State put Idaho at 2-4-1 before its final few games before conference play.
Granted, the Vandals had one of their most experienced teams in recent years, but it was still a time to learn, adjust and set themselves up for a big year in the Big Sky.
In the words of Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, “R-E-L-A-X.”
Here is what you need to know for this weekend road trip to Southern California.
Youth
It’s been no secret there were going to be some growing pains this year with a large wave of new players playing this season.
Freshman forward Trinity Paulsen keeps the ball away from a UCSB defender. | Saydee Brass Argonaut
With 16 newcomers making their way to Moscow, there certainly has been a period of players still getting their feet wet during the non-conference schedule.
The positive is that the returning veterans have looked to be mixing well when the freshmen are on the field. This road trip can be looked at as the perfect time to continue to build chemistry between the players, getting on the same page with play style and in game tendencies.
Roster Movement
One of the big surprises of the season was when junior midfielder Taylor Brust was moved to center defensive back mid game against UCSB on Sunday.
Brust, who has been a mainstay in the midfield position since coming to Idaho, flourished next to senior defender Kayleigh Frederick, interjecting new energy into the defense.
This move could pan out well for the Vandals, after the loss of All-Big Sky First Team defender Kelly Dopke. Frederick and Clevenger continue to find the right formula for the back line and return to the form of last year.
UC Riverside
The Highlanders are 1-4 in their first five games this season and had a tough time getting in the right direction.
Starting the year 0-4, being outscored 11-2, non- conference play put this team to the test early.
After a 1-0 win against Houston last weekend, UC Riverside is heading in the right direction and looking to go on its first winning streak of the season.
The deciding factor of this game will come down to which team can limit the miscommunication in the
Junior midfielder Kaysie Bruce dribbles between two UCSB defenders. | Saydee Brass Argonaut
backline, but also take advantage of mistakes and find the back of the net.
Cal Baptist
Coming out of the Western Athletic Conference, Cal Baptist is starting the year 3-2-1, similar to its dominant 2018 non-conference schedule, going 7-1-1.
The Lancers have already found their offensive groove, scoring 10 goals through just six games, led by three forwards, junior Rola Badawiya, junior Amy Aquino and sophomore Ari Coronado, who each have two goals a piece.
This will test Idaho’s defenders, who will not be able to afford miscues like against Seattle U and UCSB.
Idaho travels to UC Riverside 7:30 p.m. Sept. 13 and Cal Baptist 1 p.m. Sept. 15 in Riverside, California.
Zack Kellogg can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @kellogg_zack.