Idaho @ Utah
Aug. 10 — Salt Lake City, Utah
The Vandals kick off the season with a trip down to Salt Lake City to face the Utes for a match up with the Pac-12 conference. Utah had a record of 5-11-3 last season, and 0-9-2 in conference play. The Utes landed a star recruit, Hailey Stodden from Broomfield Colorado, who was selected to the All-USA First Team as a forward coming out of high school. This will be a great test for the Vandals to start off the year. With new firepower on the attack, Idaho will show that this will be a very special year for the squad.
Central Washington @ Idaho
Aug. 14 — Moscow, Idaho
Idaho will then make a stop back in Moscow for a matchup with Central Washington. Central Washington is coming off a 2-12-3 season, going 1-9-2 in the GNAC. This will be a game of discipline: being able to come out and run the game plan and finish the game. As long as Idaho comes out and everyone does their jobs this should be a great win for the home opener.
Idaho @ Nevada
Aug. 17 — Reno, Nevada
Although these two schools met last season, the game was played under unusual circumstances. Nevada had a host of injuries and by the time the game was over, there were only seven players available to play. This match should be much different with Nevada having something to prove. Idaho however, is simply too strong and disciplined and will come out of Reno with the win.
Idaho @ Boise State
Aug. 19 — Boise, Idaho
The biggest rivalry in Idaho will be renewed once again, this time in the City of Trees. Whenever these two schools meet, expect a physical match with effort for all 90 minutes. Boise State went 13-6-3 last season and 7-2-2 in conference, and the last matchup in the fall ended in a 1-1 draw, with the Vandals scoring in the final seconds of regulation.
Grambling State @ Idaho
Aug. 24 — Moscow, Idaho
Idaho then comes back home to the Kibbie Dome to host the Grambling State Tigers. This could be a sneaky opponent that many people overlook, and could very well pull off the upset in Moscow. With losing just four seniors last season, the Tigers could give the Vandals a run for their money.
North Dakota vs. Idaho
Aug. 31 — Missoula, Montana
Idaho will compete in the Montana Invite this year and play two games. The first will be against the now former Big Sky North Dakota Fighting Hawks. Idaho came out with a 2-1 win last season during conference play with senior Katie Moller leading scorer from 2017 to the line up, this will be another interesting matchup for Kelly Dopke’s defensive unit. But as with most games this season, it will ultimately come down to the scoring ability of Idaho to decide these matches.
Vermont vs. Idaho
Sep. 2 — Missoula, Montana
The Montana Invite quickly wraps up against the Vermont Catamounts. The Catamounts are yet another team looking to bounce back from an exciting, but unsatisfying finish last season, losing in the America East Championship game while going 3-4-1 in conference, even though they gave up 281 shots to opponents last season. This will be a great game for senior forward Bridget Daley to establish her offensive game and score for the Vandals.
Idaho @ Washington State
Sept. 6 — Pullman, Washington
The Battle of the Palouse: Cougars against Vandals. Idaho will travel across the border to enter the harsh environment in Pullman. This will be the second of three matchups against a Pac-12 school, and this won’t be easy. Washington State put together an impressive series of wins last year against No. 14 Nebraska, No. 2 UCLA, winning two games in the NCAA tournament, while scoring 26 goals and only allowing 18. This will require an all-around effort from the goal keeping, all the way up to the forwards, with all 11 players giving everything they’re got to find the win.
UC Riverside @ Idaho
Sept. 9 — Moscow, Idaho
The UC Riverside Highlanders come to town for the last home game before conference play starts. These two teams met last season in Riverside, California, with Idaho able to pull out a 1-0 win with redshirt sophomore Taylor Brust netting a late goal in the 89th minute.
Idaho @ Seattle University
Sept. 13 — Seattle, Washington
The Vandals will be in the Emerald City to face-off against the Seattle University Redhawks. Seattle went 9-8-4 overall and 3-2-2 in conference, with one of their overall wins coming in the Kibbie Dome in a 5-3 win over Idaho. This season’s game might be the polar opposite of what transpired last year.
Idaho @ Oregon
Sept. 16 — Eugene, Oregon
The Oregon Ducks will be the last matchup Idaho will have before conference play starts again and the third (and final) Pac-12 team on the schedule. These two also faced off last season, with the Ducks able to net the only goal in the 59th minute to secure the win. Oregon went 8-11 last season, winning all of their games either at home or at a neutral field. With the game being played in Eugene on the Duck’s home turf, this will be a test for Idaho that could set the bar for Big Sky play.
Portland State @ Idaho
Sept. 21 — Moscow, Idaho
Idaho kicks off their Big Sky conference play against the Portland State Vikings in Moscow. Portland State went to the Big Sky semi-finals last season to go along with a 5-4-1 conference record, which included a 2-1 win against Idaho.
Sacramento State @ Idaho
Sept. 23 — Moscow, Idaho
The Sacramento State Hornets are going to be buzzing their way into Moscow and looking to pull out a win against Idaho. When these two schools met last season, it ended in a 0-0 draw, leaving both teams with an unsatisfying feeling. Both schools play a physical brand of soccer, with Idaho having 28 yellow cards last season and Sacramento State having 22. The referee might try to calm the game early between these two heavyweights, meaning the more disciplined team that can control the game (and tempers) should be able to come out with the win.
Idaho @ Northern Colorado
Sept. 28 — Greeley, Colorado
The Vandals will hit the road to travel down to Northern Colorado. The Bears went 5-3-2 in the Big Sky last season, with one of those wins coming against Idaho in Greeley. Both teams scored almost an identical amount of goals on near identical shots: Idaho with 29 goals off 284 shots and Northern Colorado with 30 goals off 286 shots. The defense from either team could be the deciding factor.
Idaho @ Montana
Sept. 30 — Missoula, Montana
The second game on this late September road trip will be in Montana to take on the Grizzlies. Bears in back to back weeks, oof, but it’s nothing the Vandals can’t handle. Montana finished as the 2-seed last year in the Big Sky with a conference record of 5-2-3, defeating Idaho in the Kibbie Dome 1-0 in overtime. With virtually everyone on the pitch being a threat to score, players will need to be able to seize any open opportunities to score, as they might be limited.
Eastern Washington @ Idaho
Oct. 7 — Moscow, Idaho
The defending Big Sky champions are coming to town and are looking to keep the crown. The Eastern Washington Eagles finished with a 8-1-1 conference record last season, with their lone loss coming at the hands of the Vandals in Moscow on the last game of the season with a final score of 2-1. Eastern Washington scored 48 goals last season, and is looking to have the same amount of success offensively this season. Senior goalkeeper Makayla Presgrave will be at the top of her game against this offensive powerhouse.
Idaho State @ Idaho
Oct. 12 — Moscow, Idaho
Get ready for another in state rivalry as the Idaho State Bengals come roaring into town. The Bengals went 2-7-1 in conference last year and will be looking to bounce back and try to make the tournament. In the meeting last season, Idaho was able to pull out a 2-1 win while outshooting Idaho State 12-4 in the second half.
Weber State @ Idaho
Oct. 14 — Moscow, Idaho
Senior Night in Moscow will be played against the Weber State Wildcats. Idaho will have nine graduating seniors. The Vandals will look to send these seniors out on a high note from the Kibbie Dome. Weber State had a record of 2-5-3 in the Big Sky and lost their game to Idaho in Ogden. The Wildcats did not play very well away from home, and with the intense environment that Idaho will have for Senior Night, homefield advantage could be the difference maker.
Idaho @ Southern Utah
Oct. 19 — Cedar City, Utah
The Vandals will hit the road to take on Southern Utah in the home stretch of Big Sky conference play. The Thunderbirds won the matchup last season by a score of 3-1, with senior goalkeeper Kaitlyn Caldera making 11 saves. The match between these two brick wall goalkeepers should make for one of the most interesting bouts this season.
Idaho @ Northern Arizona
Oct. 21 — Flagstaff, Arizona
The conclusion of the 2018 season will go down in Flagstaff against the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks, where a physical matchup is sure to take place. Both teams committed over 200 fouls last season, showing both teams play hard and don’t allow any easy opportunities. Northern Arizona finished 4-6-1 in the Big Sky last season to make the tournament. With six seniors on the roster and it being the Lumberjacks Senior Night, everything will be put out on the field for these two competitive teams.
Zack Kellog can be reached at [email protected]