Idaho Vandal fans may know #12 Annika Farley from her play on the field, but who is Annika Farley and how did she get to the University of Idaho?
Farley hails from Ridgefield, Washington. While at Ridgefield High School, Farley helped the Spudders get to the Washington State playoffs in 2018 and 2019. In 2019, Farley and the Spudders knocked off rival Columbia River in the district championship.
Ridgefield would go on to get to the Semifinals of the Washington State playoffs and a Farley-led Spudders had to settle for third place. Farley said winning that district championship was her favorite moment of her high school career.
“Winning the district championship against our high school rivals, (when) our whole school came to the game and stormed the field after, it was really cool,” she said.
Her stellar play on the pitch with her high school and club teams got her an offer to play at the University of Portland. Farley signed with the Pilots before the 2020 season.
When Farley began her career, she played in nine games and did not record a goal or an assist in her lone season.
After the season, Farley entered the transfer portal. “Mainly I left because of the team environment.” Farley said.
After coming on a visit to the University of Idaho, Farley knew this was the place for her. She committed to the Vandals and did not look back.
“When I came here on my visit, I could tell immediately that I would really like it,” she said. “It seemed like everyone was so close and I saw everyone interacting it was a culture and a team that I wanted to be a part of.”
Farley thought her transition was smooth, but she had to get used to being so far from Western Oregon. “I’m from the Portland area so it was my first time really being away from home,” she said.
Farley came to Idaho and impressed Coach Jeremy Clevenger enough to get put in the starting lineup. She played in 954 minutes and scored two goals, including her first goal as a Vandal against Louisiana Lafayette, and a game-winning goal against Northern Colorado.
Coming into this season, after losing a key midfielder, Farley and the other midfielders had to step up and become a solid unit. So far this season, Farley has played in 958 minutes, scoring three goals, including a game-winning goal Sunday against rival Eastern Washington. She’s also provided one assist this season.
In her short Vandal career, Farley has played in 1,912 minutes, scored five goals and dished one assist. When Farley is not playing soccer, she likes cooking and other basic activities.
“I would say cooking I really enjoy, and just having alone time and watching a movie is probably my favorite activity,” she said
Farley, even though she hasn’t been at the University of Idaho long, has made a lasting impression on her former and current teammates.
Former team captain and midfielder Savannah Foster described Farley and her personality.
“Annika is one of the most resilient people I’ve ever met. She’s faced so many hardships in her life that would stop anyone else in their tracks, but she has always kept pushing on. In fact, she’s one of the most energetic and positive people I’ve ever met,” Foster said.
Foster explained her favorite moment of her time with Farley.
“There was a travel trip that I got to ride in the same van as Annika, the whole ride from the airport to the hotel we were laughing non-stop, that was the first time I got to see Annika light up a room with her humor, and it wasn’t the last.”
Senior forward Maddy Lasher, a team captain, also had glowing things to say about Farley.
Lasher smiled, hugged Farley and said, “I would describe Annika as super hard working on and off the field, she’s also somebody that I know I can trust her 100% so overall she is a great friend.”
Farley is a great player on the field and is an extremely hard worker, but the impact she has had on her teammates, coaches and everyone around her in her short two years with the program has been amazing.
Watch Farley and the Vandals as they close out the regular season with their final home game against Northern Arizona on Sunday at 1 p.m.
Jayden Barfuss can be reached at [email protected] or on X @JaydenBarfuss10
Disclaimer: Stats do not include the Vandals’ game against Northern Colorado.