The Vandals hit the road again as they still search for their first win of the Big Sky. Idaho traveled to Ogden, Utah to play Weber State University on Friday night.
It got to be a cold night in Ogden as the vandals were determined to get the job done. After a tough loss at Eastern Washington last weekend, the vandals look to change things around as it was not too late to punch a spot in the Big Sky Tournament.
The final score would be 1-1 as this game went into double overtime. Julia Byerlein and Savannah Foster would be the key players in this game for the vandals.
Summary
Weber State was in control early in this game; they took a lot of shots and denied the vandals shots of their own. Though towards the end of the first half, the vandals were able to take control of this game as well as put pressure onto the opposing team.
The first half was a constant back and forth movement of the ball with some ooo’s and ahh’s from the attempted shots and saves of both teams. The second half is when things got interesting.
Just after the halfway point in the second half of the game, Weber State scored first thanks to Olivia Barton. At this point the vandals shake it off and regroup. Idaho was determined to get on the board.
Little did Weber State know that it would only be minutes before the Vandals would be tying the game.
This wouldn’t be the first time in the season that the vandals would go down 0-1 and within a few minutes, would rebound with a goal of their own.
This time it was the sophomore midfielder Foster who was able to bounce back Idaho’s momentum within three minutes after Weber State had scored.
The goal originally started as a corner kick from Maddie Haas. The ball was kicked into play and at the right place at the right time, Foster was able to score a goal into the net using her head.
The second half of this 90-minute game was played great. Though the vandals didn’t want to end in a tie; they wanted to win. Opportunities were presented to both teams but none of them would end up making a difference in the score.
Just as the second half is coming to a close, the vandals had to think of the game with a new mindset. Senior Julianna deTar was given a red card and was taken out of the game with less than five minutes to go.
Idaho would now be playing with 10 players on the field instead of 11. Weber State would look to use this as an advantage with the few remaining minutes left but wouldn’t get anything done.
This game would now go into double overtime. Each overtime would be ten minutes long.
To say the least, Idaho didn’t take as many shots as Weber State did but it didn’t make a difference in the score nonetheless. The game would end tied 1-1. The vandals may not have gotten the win but they played a well-fought game.
Outstanding Performance
Byerlein, Idaho’s senior goalie, was a key player in Friday night’s game. Weber State took 26 shots throughout the entire game, including overtime, and Byerlein made 13 saves. If it wasn’t for the phenomenal performance by the goalie, then who knows how this game would’ve ended.
There were so many chances that Weber State took, in which they hoped the ball would make it inside to back of the net. She made phenomenal stops. It was save after save after save for Byerlein that made this night memorable.
Byerlein was put to the test in overtime as well. She was able to come through for the vandals and keep the game tied after Foster’s game-tying goal.
What’s Next
Up next for the Vandals is the “Idaho Central Credit Union Battle of the Domes.” Idaho prepares for the rivalry against Idaho State as they hope to get the job done in Pocatello.
The University of Idaho will play Idaho State University at 12 p.m. on Sunday in Pocatello, ID.
Elizabeth Carbajal can be reached at [email protected]