The Idaho Vandals chased perfection Sunday afternoon; the only thing standing in their way was their in-state rival, the Idaho State Bengals.
The Vandals, on an emotional senior night, completed their undefeated home season and put on a show as they defeated the Bengals 4-0 behind an outstanding three-assist game from graduate outside back Alyssa Peters and four different goal-scorers to clinch a first-round bye in the Big Sky tournament.
From the moment the game began, the Vandals were on a relentless mission. Their dominance was evident, especially in the opening 25 minutes when they had a corner kick to open the scoring. In the 27th minute, Peters, with her precision, sent a ball to the back post to an open Gonzales, who powered it home to give the Vandals an early lead.
Gonzales powered it home to open the scoring and give the Vandals an early lead, and Gonzales scored in her last game in the Kibbie Dome. “It’s emotional, but it’s good emotions because we got the win, we got to celebrate all of us, and it was so much fun playing with the girls.”
Just five minutes later, the Vandals had a chance to double their lead. Peters stood over a free kick, which she sent into the box and found the head of senior midfielder Annika Farley.
Instead of putting the shot on goal, Farley headed it across goal in the path of graduate forward Jadyn Hanks, who tapped in the second goal for the Vandals.
They took the 2-0 lead into halftime and had 45 minutes left of action at home. The last 45 minutes were like the first, with the Vandals dominating the Bengals. The Vandals dominated all facets of the game and continued to pester redshirt freshman goalkeeper Trinity Hale.
Hale, besides the four goals, was outstanding for the Bengals saving 12 shots and keeping her team in the game for as long as she could however it just was not enough.
In the 58th minute, the Vandals had yet another corner kick, and Peters found the head of Farley and guided the brilliant header into the top left corner to give the Vandals a commanding 3-0 lead and Peters her third assist of the game. Later on in the game, the Vandals added insult to injury.
In the 74th minute, graduate forward Maddy Lasher intercepted a pass from the Bengals around midfield.
Lasher dribbled through defenders before laying the ball off to Gonzales, and Gonzales ripped off a shot that went right off the gloves of Hale and into the path of Lasher. Lasher beat Hale to the ball and sliced the ball to the bottom left corner to get her name on the scoresheet.
The Vandals finished off the final 15 minutes and, like the meeting a year ago in Pocatello, defeated the Bengals 4-0. The Vandals got goals, assists, and, most importantly, a second straight shutout and a fifth in eight games to move their record to 11-4-2 (5-1-1)
Senior defender Cassidy Elicker discusses the recent defensive success in the last handful of games.
“As the season goes on, we get more and more used to playing with each other, and we just trust each other more,” Elicker said. “Also, the atmosphere at home helps us a lot. We usually do very well at home and get a lot of our shutouts here.”
Elicker, a vital part of the Vandals’ incredible backline for four years, is one of the 13 players who played their last game at home in a Vandal uniform.
“It’s very sad, but I think it was like we ended on a great note, and I’m so happy with the team and all the lifelong friendships I’ve made here,” Elicker said.
The seniors and graduates have been the most successful group in Vandal soccer history, recording four ten-win seasons and two conference championship appearances, including one championship win last season.
Head coach Jeremy Clevenger speaks on the importance of what this group of upperclassmen has done and can still do for the Vandals.
“It’s a great group, both the graduates and the seniors,” Clevenger said. “they’re so experienced they know what to do. It’s great having that many upperclassmen and experienced players we’re blessed to have.”
The Vandals’ head on the road for their final regular season game to face the 3-13-(1, 1-4-1) Northern Colorado Bears. They look to finish the regular season strong, guided by their upperclassmen.
“We still have a couple of things to fix before the tournament; this next game is a great way to do it,” Lasher said. “You can never count a team out in this conference, so we still have to show up and be ready to play.”
The Vandals will kick off with the Bears from Greely, Colorado, on Sunday, Oct 27, at noon. As they look to achieve three consecutive 12-win seasons.
Jayden Barfuss can be reached at [email protected]