The Idaho women’s soccer team swept the weekend with wins against Portland State and Sacramento State.
The Vandals took a 5-1 win over Sacramento State Friday.
The Hornets scored the first goal of the game.
Idaho head coach Derek Pittman said the team fought hard and finished the game strong.
“I felt that we were just a little bit unlucky on the error that ultimately led to them getting up 1-0, but we didn’t hang our heads,” he said. “We bounced right back and gave ourselves a chance. We stuck with what we do well.”
Senior midfielder Clara Gomez leveled the score in the 29th minute and gave Idaho the lead 2-1 in the 36th minute during the first half.
Pittman said the team focused hard during the second half.
Freshman midfielder Emma Eddy scored three goals on three shots during the second half. Eddy made the first hat trick from Idaho since 2000 and the fifth in program history.
Pittman said he is proud of Eddy’s contributions.
“She has been an absolute terror for us in the last five games,” he said. “She puts herself in great positions and she has tremendous composure.”
Senior goalkeeper Torell Stewart finished with six saves.
Idaho started the first half against Portland State behind. The Vikings scored off a free kick in the 15th minute.
Senior midfielder Elexis Schlossarek put Idaho on the board in the 47th minute from a penalty kick.
Sophomore defender Kelly Dopke followed 10 minutes, giving Idaho a 2-1 lead. Gomez gave Dopke the assist.
Pittman said the team played better during the second half.
“I think we lacked a little bit of urgency, in terms of finishing out the (first) half with the overall intensity that we need going toward goal,” he said. “We weren’t taking the same shots and being aggressive like we had been in the past.”
Pittman said he believes the weekend will serve as a confidence boost as the Big Sky Championships approach.“I think some of the tests we’ve faced earlier in the year is giving us a lot of confidence and a lot of resolve and overall toughness to be able to handle being on the road in conference and it’s been really ringing true in the last few games for sure,” Pittman said.
The Vandals play Weber State 6 p.m. Friday in Ogden, Utah.
Meredith Spelbring can be reached at [email protected]