The Idaho Vandals came into spring with six games scheduled. However, after two cancelations, the Vandals only played four. In those four games the Vandals went 3-1 overall, going undefeated at home.
The Vandals began the spring season on March 29 with a trip to Pullman to face Pac-12, and cross-border rival, Washington State. Despite playing a hard-fought game, the Cougars proved to be too much as the Vandals lost 2-0.
After the loss, the Vandals were back in the Kibbie Dome to take on conference-foe Eastern Washington. The Eagles took advantage of the Vandals many rotations to take a 1-0 lead. Despite going down early, the Vandals rallied behind goals from Midfielder Jayd Sprague and forward Jadyn Hanks for their first win of the spring season.
With a big win over a D1 opponent in their pocket, the Vandals hosted a pair of NAIA teams in Eastern Oregon and College of Idaho in a doubleheader. Eastern Oregon was up first, giving the bench a chance to show their skills. Despite playing minimal starters, the Vandals defeated Eastern Oregon 2-0 behind goals from forward Karli Yoshida-Williams and forward Ariel Lofton.
After a 40-minute break the Vandals decided to play their starters, which the Yotes were unprepared for. The Vandals dominated the Coyotes with an 8-0 win to end the Spring. Five different starters scored, including team captain Maddy Lasher with two.
Throughout the spring, the Vandals scored 12 goals and only conceded three. Three players tied for the leading scorer spot as Sprague, Hanks and Lasher each put in two goals. The Vandals leave spring the same way they went into it, with 10 of 11 starters returning. Idaho’s star power led them to a championship appearance last season, and they’ll be looking to make it there again in 2023, but with a different ending this time around.
Jayden-Barfuss can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @JaydenBarfuss10