Despite winning on Big Sky opening weekend, Vandal soccer is looking to continue growing in Cheney.
Idaho opened conference play against Montana and Northern Colorado, two of the best teams in the Big Sky in 2018.
After letting up an early goal to Montana, which ended in a loss, and a last second comeback to get a tie against Northern Colorado, the team’s current status sits well with the coaches.
“Looking back at the film, we played well,” said Idaho Head Coach Jeremy Clevenger. “We moved the ball well, we controlled the possession. Unfortunately, the possession doesn’t always win you the game.”
With just a single game this weekend, here are things to know as the Vandals look for their first conference win of season.
Injuries: While the Vandals are playing with a high level of intensity and seemingly starting to come together more as a team, they’ll be going to Cheney a bit short handed.
Graduate student Kayleigh Frederick and senior forward Myah Merino are still injured. With no time table for their return, they will be joined by a few others.
Freshmen midfielder Hoku Schatz, defender Jenna Efraimson and senior defender Natalie Fischer are all currently listed with injuries.
Schatz (lower leg) could return before Sunday, but Efraimson (concussion) and Fischer (groin injury) will likely be out.
“We have some injuries and we have to get people back healthy,” Clevenger said. “That’s the main objective right now, just let the bodies heal…but that’s part of the game.”
With another round of inevitable roster shakeups, key positions like left defensive back need to be filled, so expect a few new faces to take the field on Sunday.
Chemistry: With the lineup seeing more changes, on the field chemistry could be an area of concern.
Despite having 11 games under their belt, the Vandals will miss some heavy rotation players and will lookfurther in the depth chart to fill holes.
Junior midfield Kaysie Bruce dribbles up the field against Northern Colorado in the Kibbie Dome on Sunday
While underclassmen are expected to see more playing time, junior forward Kaysie Bruce said things are clicking.
“It’s just starting to come together,” Bruce said. “Having a lot of freshmen can be a challenge, but they are definitely stepping up and showing out on the field.”
Bruce said the team might not have the best record right now, but the work will pay off.
“Playing the two most physical teams in the conference for the first weekend was definitely a challenge,” Bruce said. “Usually we build into those games, but we have to come out strong in conference and yeah, we might not have had the best results, but those are just little tweaks we need to make… Being second in conference last year gave us high expectations for ourselves this year.”
Recent rivalry success: The Vandals and Eagles have faced off every season over the last nine years. The total wins between the two teams is close, with Idaho leading the all-time series at 6-5-1. Idaho has won the past two seasons at home against the squad.
“We’ve beaten them both the years I’ve been here, so I don’t think it will be hard for a third,” Bruce said.
A rivalry win on the road could be a big turning point for the young, retooling team.
Idaho will play Eastern Washington 1 p.m. Sunday in Cheney.
Zack Kellogg can be reached at [email protected]or on Twitter @kellogg_zack.