The Idaho women’s soccer team is set to take the pitch and continue their spring season, this time facing o against the Boise State Broncos Sunday.
Zack Kellogg
Despite coming up short in the two preseason matches played so far, Idaho has gained useful experi- ence. It tinkered with its play style and continued to meld together, building chemistry as it continues to build up for the summer o season.
Head Coach Derek Pittman said the preseason has been a good learning experience for the team.
“This was a tremendous learning experience for us defensively,” Pittman said. “We changed our shape up a little bit and I thought it was tremendous for us on the attack.I thought we played some of the most attractive soccer since we have been here and we just need to continue doing this in games.”
is is the rst time the two schools have faced o since Aug. 25 in the fall season. e match was a back and forth bout that came down to the wire in front of an NCAA women’s soccer indoor record crowd of 4,171 fans.
“We always have great games against Boise State, whether it be in the spring or the fall. We know that their players are going to come out and be ready to compete,” Pittman said. “In the spring it is always unique. (Boise State) will be trying new things. ey’ll have new players in di erent spots that they haven’t played in the past.”
A red card against Boise State gave Idaho a last chance free kick near midfield to tie the match with just seconds remaining during the match last fall.
Sophomore mid elder Taylor Brust lined up for the kick and was able to place the ball inside the box and senior defender Kelly Dopke connected, nding the back of the net, tying the match as time expired and leading to a 1-1 draw.
Junior defensive back Claire Johnson said she knows it will be a tough and competitive game.
“I feel like every game, one of us is coming back to get the other. It is exhilarating that this is a spring game, but its super important and meaningful for all of us,” junior defensive back Claire Johnson said. “It is a very intense game and I think we are all really excited for it and ready to come out. It’s been a couple weeks since we’ve had
a game, so we are ready. I’m excited. We are hoping that we can spread the word and get a lot of people to come out to this game because it is just as important as the last one.”
Pittman said the team plans to stick to the strategy and make adjustments where it is necessary.
“We are always going to defend the way that we defend, in our organization,
intensity, overall physical toughness. But we tweaked a few things in our formation and how we are trying to build — play through the lines, play through our midfield a little bit more, and be able to create opportunities and not just be one dimen- sional. We have the technical and skillful players to be able to build and be more patient.”
Boise State is almost done with their spring schedule after playing Northwest Nazarene University, Idaho State and Gonzaga so far.
Its last two games will be played against Idaho, beginning with the 12 p.m. Sunday, April 15 match in the Kibbie Dome and then again April 21 in Boise.
Zack Kellogg can be reached at [email protected]