After fighting tooth and nail for a tie against Nevada, the Vandals are headed to California for a two-game road trip this week.
Idaho will face California State University, Northridge on Sept. 7 at 5 p.m. After facing CSUN, they will travel to the University of California, Santa Barbara, for a noon game on Sept. 10. Idaho comes into the road trip 3-1-1.
CSUN
CSUN is winless in their six games with a 0-5-1 record heading into Thursday’s matchup. On top of being winless, CSUN is scoreless on the season and will be looking to finally get on the board against one of the best defenses in the nation.
Idaho is led by junior midfielder Annika Farley with two goals and one assist, including the game-tying goal against Nevada. The Vandals have had five different goal scorers to begin the season.
Idaho will look to get on the board early as they try for their fourth win of the season.
UCSB
Idaho defeated UCSB 1-0 last season and will hope to repeat that result this time around. UCSB had an average 2022 season, posting a 5-9-6 record.
The Gauchos are not starting the season off on the right foot, opening with a 1-2-3 record. The Gauchos return their leading scorer, senior midfielder Lauren Helwig, who put up an impressive seven goals and one assist last season.
Helwig has added three goals this season leading the Gauchos, including two of her three goals in their last game, which was a 2-2 draw against Iowa State.
The Vandals have questions on offense, however, with both senior forward Maddy Lasher and senior Midfielder Margo Schoseler not playing in their last game. Lasher has only played in one game this season.
With the Vandals potentially down two starting offensive threats, this road trip could be a challenging weekend for the Vandals.
Once the fun in the California sun is over, the Vandals will head to El Paso, Texas, to close out non-conference play against UTEP on Sept. 14 at 6 p.m.
Jayden Barfuss can be reached at [email protected] or on X @JaydenBarfuss10