If there was one word to describe Idaho’s season thus far, it would not be ordinary.
The Vandal soccer team (6-8-3, 2-2-1 WAC) came away from a weekend road trip to New Mexico State Friday and La. Tech Sunday with a draw and a win, respectively. The results didn’t come without drama.
Tying New Mexico State was disappointing considering a Chelsea Small goal in the 81st minute gave the Vandals a 1-0 lead. It took the Aggies all but five minutes to equalize. Two scoreless overtime periods later and Idaho was left wondering, “What if?”
“I’m disappointed overall with the result, but we didn’t lose,” coach Pete Showler said. “I feel it was a game we had enough chances to finish for the win.”
Struggles of the past came back to haunt the Vandals as they put eight shots on target and came away with one late goal.
“In that first half, we should have gotten something, and going into the half nil-nil wasn’t really what we deserved, but we’ve just got to finish those chances,” Showler sad.
Considering that a draw can only be considered a success if it’s supplemented with wins, Showler placed high importance on Sunday’s match against La. Tech and his team responded with a 1-0 victory.
Small was once again the hero for Idaho as she scored seven minutes into the match to give the Vandals a lead they held for the entirety of the game. But she wasn’t the most impressive forward on the field.
Morgan Porter, a freshman from Seattle, experienced her first action as a Vandal out of position when she played goalkeeper following a Caroline Towles red card for handling the ball outside the box.
The booking left Idaho with only ten players for the final 21 minutes of the match.
“The sending off meant we had to re-tool a few things,” Showler said. “The girls just battled and battled, dug deep and ground out a phenomenal result considering the circumstances. I’m really proud of them.”
Porter garnered a save when she handled a La. Tech free kick shortly after entering.
“They had a free kick just outside the box and she handled it,” Showler said. “She handled the situations well and played on her toes. The girls are all so proud of her.”
The trip puts Idaho in third place in the WAC with two conference games remaining. The Vandals hope to finish within the top six in the WAC. Idaho can clinch a berth in the WAC Championship tournament in Fresno, Calif., with one more conference victory.
Idaho comes home to close their conference schedule with match-ups against Utah State Friday and Nevada Sunday