On the back of another successful season, the Idaho Vandals women’s soccer program is turning the page on a new chapter this fall. The Vandals have undergone a significant transformation, welcoming newcomers who are hungry to prove themselves while maintaining the championship culture that has defined the program. This season represents both an ending and a beginning, the chance for a new generation of players to step into the spotlight.
The Vandals say goodbye to a senior class that was the most successful class in Idaho history, bringing the Vandals three Big Sky championship appearances, a first ever Big Sky championship and a NCAA tournament appearance.
However, the tides have turned and now the Vandals enter a new era with 15 returners, nine incoming freshmen and six transfers. The Idaho Vandals are ready for the new season and look to build this group’s legacy in Moscow.
“It’s a new group, a fun group. They’re very athletic, aggressive, physical. We have more attacking star power that can turn the game in our favor,” head coach Jeremy Clevenger said. “It’s fun to see this team become their own group.”
The nine freshmen the Vandals brought in have impressed Clevenger and he’s excited for their potential.
“You never know with freshmen what you’re going to get,” Clevenger said. “I’ve been more than impressed with the freshmen, with their ability to learn and be engaged, pick up the concepts well and apply them. And even in the scrimmage yesterday, I thought they fit in very well. I was really impressed with that freshman group and excited about that.”
Leading the charge among the newcomers is freshman defender Miranda Goldner, who has already made an immediate impression on the coaching staff. Goldner recorded an assist in the team’s recent scrimmage and has stood out for her mature approach to the college game.
“She’s just walked in the building and kind of looks like an upperclassman in how she goes about training and how she adapts to the college game,” Clevenger said. “She has been a standout for sure.”
The six transfers the Vandals added bring depth and experience after having a full spring season to learn Clevenger’s system. Most arrived for the fall semester last year, giving them valuable time to understand what the coaching staff expects while adapting from their previous programs.
“Having the transfers come in and getting to work with them in the spring has been a blessing,” Clevenger said. “All of them have continued that progression from the spring into the fall, and I think we’re going to get a big contribution from those transfers this year.”
The Vandals also bring back some key pieces from their championship team two years ago, including their three captains, midfielder Annika Farley and forwards Naomi Alvarez and Karli Yoshida-Williams, who have been a key part to keeping the Vandals’ culture in place and the standard the same.
The Vandals open their season at the P1FCU Kibbie Dome against University of California Riverside on Thursday, Aug. 14 at 7 p.m. They’re kicking off a slate that features match-ups such as Washington State, Boise State, Montana in nine home games at the Kibbie Dome.
Before their opener on Thursday, the Vandals will travel to Eugene, Oregon to take on the University of Oregon on Friday, Aug. 8 at noon for their final exhibition game, another chance to fine tune their craft before they open the season.
“The next match is just to amplify that and sharpen your tools, so to speak. Also, we get to go on the road,” Clevenger said. “Especially in our conference, it’s going to be a fun test for us.”
The pieces are in place for another memorable season in Moscow. With attacking star power, veteran leadership and a deep roster ready to prove themselves, the Vandals are poised to show that their championship culture remains intact. Idaho soccer fans won’t want to miss what this new era has in store.
Jayden Barfuss can be reached at [email protected].