In a season full of new formations, players and style of play, graduate midfielder Annika Farley is a constant for the Vandals on the field and on the scoresheet. Farley, who has been a four-year starter for the Vandals, was instrumental in the Vandals’ 1-1 draw with Boise State University this past Thursday, Sept. 18, with her goal in the 47th minute giving the Vandals the 1-0 lead. Farley currently leads the team with three goals this season and has been a steady presence in the Vandals’ midfield.
With the Vandals starting conference play today, it was important both on the scoreboard and mentally to get some confidence, and the Boise State draw did that for Farley and the Vandals.
“This was an important game for us—either we were going to show up and play and it was going to give us the confidence going into conference, or [if] we didn’t do well today, we probably would have gone the other way,” Farley said postgame.
“So, this game was super important for us going into conference and getting ready for that grittiness and having that toughness. Because games are long, you have to stay locked in the full 90 [minutes]. It’s tough,” she said.
Before the season, Farley was recognized by the United Soccer Coaches for the 2025 NCAA Division I Women’s Players to Watch—Midfielders list, making her the only player in the Big Sky Conference and one of just 16 mid-major athletes among the 47 total players nationally to receive this honor.
The Ridgefield, Washington, native came to the Vandals in the fall of 2022 after spending her freshman year at the University of Portland.
In her Vandal career, Farley has logged 4,662 minutes, scored 13 goals and dished four assists. She also played a central role in the Vandals’ three consecutive Big Sky championship appearances, a championship in 2023 and an NCAA tournament appearance that same year.
Farley will be the key to unlocking the full potential of this new-look Vandal team. With her leadership, composure on and off the ball and her relentless work ethic, Farley looks to lead the Vandals back to a championship.
Jayden Barfuss can be reached at [email protected].