As Idaho comes off a record setting season, expectations are high for next year, and the Vandals have started meeting expectations early.
The Vandals are primed to lose veteran midfielder Savannah Foster, goalkeeper Hallie Byzewski and defender Juila Bailey as all three are graduating. Coach Jermey Clevenger got a great start on the signing front, getting seven high school recruits to be a part of Vandal soccer.
The first signee is goalkeeper Paula Flores from Tijuana, Mexico. She played her club soccer at Albion soccer club. Flores will join goalkeepers Kira Witte and Brooke Auth, adding to a deep goalkeeper room.
Next up, a homegrown player. Clevenger brought in Midfielder Payton Oelkers from Merdian, Idaho. She played for Mountain View High school and the Idaho Rush soccer club. Her senior season was a great one as she finished with six goals and six assists on the year.
Clevenger was also able to put a family connection in the cards as Midfielder Tori Peters, sister of current Vandal’s soccer player Allyssa Peters, is coming aboard. Hailing from Bremerton, Washington, Peters played for Klahowya High School where she scored 17 goals and eight assists her junior season. Peters had an excellent club stint with Washington Premier ECNL and will be a terrific addition to the Vandal’s midfield.
Next up is Izzy Thoma, a defender from Snohomish, Washington. Thoma will join a stellar defense and look to contribute to the Vandals next fall. Thoma played her high school ball with Glacier Peak and club ball with Crossfire Premier ECNL.
Speaking about Crossfire Premier ECNL, Thoma’s teammate, midfielder Sara Rodgers, also joins the Vandals. Roders will add some key depth to a particularly important midfield position.
Clevenger and crew went to Aliso Viejo, California, for their next signee, midfielder Emma James. James played at Alison Nugel High School and was a part of Slammers FC HB Koge. James is in a loaded class that will look to strengthen the already strong midfield the Vandals possess.
Finally, forward Leslie Duarte from Youngstown, Arizona. She played club ball for the Pheonix Rising ECNL and played high school soccer at Centennial High School. She had a staggering 35 goals and 15 assists during the Coyotes’ 2021-2022 season. Duarte is listed as a forward, but she is more of a playmaker that can also score goals. Duarte’s speed, dribbling, passing and scoring ability will help the Vandals, making them a threat going into the 2023-2024 season.
Clevenger took a loaded team and made it scarier for teams in Big Sky to play against. With the vast improvements to the Vandals, they are primed for a big run in the Big Sky Conference, and possibly a NCAA tournament bid.
Jayden Barfuss can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @JaydenBarfuss10