Vandal women’s soccer won its final home match of the season on Sunday. Teared-up Vandals and their coaches, friends and family embraced on the field after the game, marking what will be the final Kibbie Dome win for many graduating players.
“Idaho is a special place,” senior goalkeeper Avrie Fox said as she laughed with several teammates after the game.
Fox has been in the Vandals program since 2018 and will soon be applying to medical school.
Fox tallied five saves during Sunday’s match, 12 from Friday’s match with the Griz, and has been a consistent player for the team to lean on. Coach Jeremy Clevenger even called Fox the team’s rock.
“I don’t even think my role is that big,” Fox said. “I think I just try to stop as many shots as I can, but really it’s just the defense as a whole.”
The Vandals, who have struggled since entering conference play, fell to the Montana Griz on Friday night. On Sunday, they met the top team in the league, the University of Northern Colorado Bears, who hadn’t lost a single match in the conference yet.
UNC was the first to score from a goal made by graduate student midfielder Olivia Seddon. Vandal sophomore forward Maddy Lasher responded with a goal for Idaho, assisted by sophomore defender Alyssa Peters. Before halftime, Bears retook the lead, 2-1, with one last goal from senior midfielder Haley O’Nan.
When halftime came, Clevenger said they adjusted a few things and came back with a will to win.
“They just had the confidence to keep on pushing on,” Clevenger said. “So, it was a great team win, and I’m proud of them.”
With 15 minutes to go in the second half, Vandals tied up the score, 2-2, with a goal from sophomore forward Jadyn Hanks. Only minutes later, Hanks scored again, taking her team into the lead, 3-2, and sealing the victory.
“Colorado is on the top of the league right now, and for us to beat them that just shows that we can beat anybody,” Clevenger said.
Fox said after going through a losing streak, it felt good to defeat the undefeatable team.
“I think it just shows that we can come together no matter what the odds,” Fox said.
Fox said also noticed an immense growth in her younger teammates, particularly Lasher, who scored Idaho’s first goal in Sunday’s match.
“I felt like Lasher used to be super immature,” Fox said with a chuckle. “But now she’s just improved like 300%.”
Reflecting on her time at Idaho, Fox said she’ll remember most the girls she has played alongside, as they made the regular experience of getting up at 5 a.m. worth it.
Clevenger said senior players were a special group. They embodied their roles on and off the field and had instilled accountability in their younger teammates this season.
“They make it fun for us coaches to go to work every day,” Clevenger said. “They do a great job with the culture and the team environment.”
On Oct. 24, Vandals will play Eastern Washington University in Cheney for their final scheduled conference match.
Cody Roberts can be reached [email protected] or on Twitter @CodyRobReports