With a potential regular-season championship on the line, the Idaho Vandals women’s soccer team headed to Colorado to take on Northern Colorado. The Vandals came out flat and lacked urgency, and behind an excellent defensive performance, the Bears defeated the Vandals 1-0 to snap their three-game winning streak.
The Vandals looked to come out strong and set the tone; however, the Bears had other plans. After the Vandals committed a foul around 25 yards from the goal, the Bears had an opportunity to strike early.
In the sixth minute, fifth-year midfielder Morgan King’s free kick put the Bears in the lead. This early advantage set the tone for the rest of the match, making it an uphill battle for the Vandals.
Throughout the first half, the Bears maintained their momentum, keeping the Vandals at bay. The Vandals, on the other hand, struggled to find their rhythm, firing off five shots but only managing to get two on target.
After the intermission, the Vandals came out and finally found a spark in a lifeless Vandal offense. Graduate midfielder Hannah Alfaro-Black pressured the Bears backline and caused a turnover.
With her quick footwork, Alfaro-Black dribbled through the Bear’s defense and took a shot that the Bears saved.
Graduate midfielder Margo Schoesler, one of the lone bright spots for the Vandals, kept the pressure on and created some moments for the Vandals; however, they were unable to convert them into goals, including three shots of her own.
The Bears’ defense tightened up and shut down the Vandals’ offense, which made a frustrating offensive night for the Vandals, including five offside calls and six shots on goal complete.
A last-second shot by Schoesler came down in junior goalkeeper Kaya Lindberg’s arms, and the whistle blew, signaling the end of the Vandals’ win streak and faint championship hopes.
The Vandal’s struggle to score in the run of play continues, and they were held scoreless for the first time this season. The Vandals finish the regular season 11-5-2 (5-2-1) as they now look forward to the Big Sky tournament.
The Vandals will have a week off before they travel to Missoula, Montana, for the Big Sky tournament. On the back of another successful season, only finishing behind the Big Sky regular season champions, the Montana Grizzlies, the Vandals earned the #2 seed in the tournament and received a first-round bye.
Idaho will watch the first round and play the winner between Eastern Washington and Portland State on Nov 8 at 10 a.m. If the Vandals win the semi-final, they will reach their third consecutive championship on Sunday, Nov 10, at noon.
Jayden Barfuss can be reached at [email protected]