Idaho vs Sacramento State
Just a day after Idaho football pulled off a double overtime win, Vandal soccer was tested at home with an extra-time challenge of its own.
Idaho (4-5-2 overall, 0-1-1 Big Sky) was unable to get its first Big Sky win of the season over Sacramento State (5-4-2, 0-0-2 Big Sky) however, as both teams struggled mightily to score in a foul-heavy contest, ending in a 0-0 draw.
Junior goalie Makayla Presgrave recorded five saves in her fourth shutout of the year. Presgrave was tested often, as the Hornets were able to take Idaho scoring opportunities and turn them into fast-break chances of their own.
The Vandals came out firing fast, as sophomore forward Myah Merino and junior midfielder Megan Goo fired off two shots in the first 10 minutes.
In what could only be described as a whistle-fest, any scoring opportunities were followed by fouls. Any time Goo or junior forward Bridget Daley struck a corner kick, the momentum would be shifted as Sacramento State was awarded free-kicks.
The Hornets had plenty of chances to take the lead also, but many shots taken by Hornet forwards Kayla Collins and Kylee Kim-Bastillos were either saved by Presgrave or sailed high.
Late in the contest, Idaho would receive a slew of corner kick opportunities, but Sacramento State goalie Aaliya Fesili often would jump in front for a save. Fesili had a total of five saves at the end of the game.
The defensive contest stretched into overtime as both squads could not find the back of the net. A near-goal by Collins almost sent Sacramento State home with a win at the end of regulation, but Presgrave provided a much-needed save to extend the game.
The foul, corner kick, foul trend continued throughout both overtimes. Idaho managed to get off three shots in the first overtime, but to no avail.
A boot by freshman forward Brooke Sosa was saved in the 103rd minute, but Sosa tried again in the 106th, this time slamming the post.
Presgrave recorded her fifth save of the night with just over a minute remaining in double-overtime, batting down another attempt by Collins.
Despite the non-scoring affair, Idaho was able to get 14 shots off in the contest compared to 10 for the Hornets. The Vandals also were granted 13 corner kicks compared to only two for Sacramento State.
Both teams were whistled extensively, as Idaho was called for 15 fouls, two yellow-cards and Sacramento State was called for 10 fouls and one card.
Head coach Derek Pittman said in a news release he liked the Vandals offensive attack, but it was just not enough to seal the deal.
“I was proud of us for creating 14 shots, but I thought we could’ve created more,” Pittman said. “We need our forwards to step up and be a little more selfish in those situations and not be afraid to rip shots from 25 or 30 yards out.”
Idaho will look to pick up its first conference win with a visit to Southern Utah 3 p.m. Friday in Cedar City, Utah.
Colton Clark can be reached at [email protected]