After a 2-1 victory over conference foe Eastern Washington last week, Idaho continued spring play against Eastern Oregon and the College of Idaho. The Vandals dominated both games, beating Eastern Oregon 2-0 and trouncing College of Idaho 8-0.
Eastern Oregon finished the 2022 season with only one more loss than Idaho, but Idaho showed the difference between the Division 1 and NAIA level. The Vandals started quickly as they scored in the eighth minute. Forward Karli Yoshida-Willams took a touch around the keeper and placed the ball in the back of the net to open the scoring for the Vandals.
The Vandals eventually found their rhythm and pestered goalkeeper Rylee Schei. Despite multiple attempts, Idaho was unable to put another goal in, taking a 1-0 lead into halftime.
Idaho’s scoring woes continued in the second half, but their efforts finally paid off late. In the 74th minute, forward Ariel Loftman got the ball in the box, beat a defender and the goalkeeper then easily got the ball in to put the game away.
After a short 40-minute break, game two against the College of Idaho kicked off. The Idaho coaching staff decided to roll with their starters for the second game. Just like they did in the first game, the Vandals got an early goal. In the ninth minute, the Vandals won a corner and outside back Allysa Peters connected with a familiar head as she put in a cross, midfielder Jayd Sprague got her head on it and the Vandals went up 1-0.
Unlike the first game, the Vandals capitalized on their opportunities. In the 32nd minute, Margo Schoesler received a picture-perfect pass from Anika Farley, which she tapped in to put the Vandals up 2-0. Eight minutes later, Farley would be on the receiving end of a 40-yard cross that she headed past the keeper and put the Vandals up 3-0 heading into halftime.
Before this game, team captain Maddy Lasher was having a quiet spring. Despite a slow start, Lasher headed home two goals in five minutes to extend the Vandals’ lead to 5-0. To close out the game, Mia Zubiate slotted home her first score of the spring to give the Vandals an 8-0 victory.
Coach Clevenger was happy about the results and the number of goals the Vandals scored.
“I was really happy for us to come out and get a bunch of goals, that was the main message, so I was glad to see us be able to do that today.”
During spring scrimmages, coaches look for players who do not get a lot of playing time to show out and improve. Coach Clevenger has seen some bright spots outside of the starting 11.
“I think Kyla Tucker has had a big spring,” Clevenger said. “Mackenzie Burks, Kate Spink and Karli Yoshida-Willams (have also) all played really well these last few games.”
The Vandals will take on Gonzaga next week, and Clevenger is looking forward to the tough competition.
“It’s going to be a great challenge,” he said. “I’m really excited about this game.”
The Vandals will host Gonzaga next Saturday at 1 p.m. with hopes to keep their winning streak alive against the Bulldogs.
Jayden Barfuss can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @JaydenBarfuss10