The University of Idaho women’s soccer team took its first road trip of the season this weekend to play Utah Tech and UNLV.
They started against Utah Tech on Aug. 24, then went to Las Vegas for their Aug. 27 matchup against UNLV.
Utah Tech
Utah Tech came in 1-0-1 on the season, with a 0-0 tie against the University of Nebraska Omaha in their previous game. Through a tough, defensive-minded game, the Vandals defeated the Trailblazers 1-0. Junior forward Kylie Hummel scored the lone goal to move Idaho to 2-1 on the season.
The first half of the game was all about defense away from the goal. Both teams only got one shot on goal in the first 45 minutes, keeping things deadlocked going into the locker room. The Vandals finished the half with nine shots while the Trailblazers only had two. On the other side of the ball, Utah Tech had six fouls to Idaho’s two.
After 77 minutes of hard-fought soccer, Idaho finally broke through. Senior outside back Alyssa Peters played a cross-field ball to senior midfielder Margo Schoesler, who gathered the ball on the left wing. Schoesler took her defender one-one-one, brought a touch into space and sent a cross to the box. Greeting the ball was Hummel, who got her head on it and placed the ball into the bottom corner to give the Vandals the lead.
The Vandals grinded out the last 13 minutes and captured their first road win of the season. Hummel’s goal was the second game-winner of her career.
Idaho shot nine times in the second half, five of which were shots on goal. Utah Tech only took three shots in the second half, with none being shots on goal.
UNLV
On a hot Vegas morning, the Vandals suited up to face the UNLV Rebels, and the Rebels were on the Vandals from the start.
UNLV dominated possession and put Idaho’s back line under immense pressure. With no outlet out of the pressure, and the heat of the morning taking its toll on the Vandals, the ref blew for a hydration break after 25 minutes. As it turned out, hydration was all the Vandals needed.
Idaho looked more confident in the final 20 minutes of the half but did not look threatening at all. Despite UNLV’s aggression against Idaho’s lackluster offense, the half ended tied at 0-0. UNLV outshot Idaho 15-5 and forced seven saves out of the Vandals.
Idaho came out more on the front foot in the second half, and a familiar name found the score sheet for Idaho. In the 65th minute, a corner kick by Peters hit junior midfielder Anika Farley’s head, the left post then junior midfielder Jayd Sprague’s foot as she scored her second goal of the season.
Now all the Vandals needed to do was play defense for 25 minutes. Idaho’s defense has been strong all year, and they stepped up when they needed to preserve a 1-0 shutout victory.
Despite the score, the Rebels did not lack effort as they had 29 shots and 11 shots on goal. Sophomore goalkeeper Kira Witte was spectacular with 11 saves. She is also now tied with Liz Boyden for the most shutouts in Vandal history.
However, this win isn’t all good news for the Vandals. Schoesler exited the game in the 27th minute and did not return, putting her in doubt for their next game.
Idaho battled the heat, injuries and solid offenses to come out with a sweep on their first road trip of the season. The Vandals will be back at home on Aug. 31 to face another Mountain West opponent, The Nevada Wolfpack, at 6 p.m.
Jayden Barfuss can be reached at [email protected] or on X @jaydenbarfuss10