As Idaho looked to extend their unbeaten streak to eight games, they had to get by struggling in-state rival Idaho State.
The Vandals look to get to 7-1-2 overall and 2-0 in conference, once again without junior midfielder Margo Schoesler. She has now missed her second game in a row due to injury. However, there was some good news for Idaho as junior forward Maddy Lasher returned today. Her presence was immediately felt as she came in and got an assist with her first touch.
The game started out physical with both teams committing seven fouls. There was no real rhythm to the game with the Vandals outshooting the Bengals 6-2. The teams were about to head into the locker room tied until Lasher found sophomore forward Kylie Hummel, who fired a rocket into the top corner. The ball went off goalkeeper Kylee Atkins hands into the net to make the score 1-0.
The second half was all Vandals as they dominated play. They peppered Atkins and forced her into two saves. Idaho also outshot Idaho State 5-2.
The score might have been 1-0, but the Vandals dominated most of this game. With the win, the Vandals take the lead in the Battle of the Domes, now having three wins to Idaho state’s two.
The Vandals have a difficult stretch as they now have three games in a row on the road. They face Montana on Sept. 30, Northern Colorado on Oct. 2 and Northern Arizona on Oct. 9. They return to the Kibbie Dome on Oct. 14 to face Portland State at 6 p.m.
Jayden Barfuss can be reached at arg-sports.uidaho.edu or on Twitter @JaydenBarfuss10