With ten minutes left and the Idaho Vandals women’s soccer team trailing Eastern Washington 2-1, junior midfielder Sara Rodgers knew someone had to step up. She delivered not just once, but twice, first equalizing with a crucial goal, then setting up the game-winner minutes later for her first assist as a Vandal.
It was the kind of moment that defines a season, and for Rodgers, it was just the beginning of a hot streak.
Rodgers carried that momentum into Sunday’s match against Portland State when she rose above the defense and placed a header past the goalkeeper to give her team the lead in their 1-1 draw to the Vikings.
In just two games, the Snohomish, Washington, native has tallied three goal contributions, helping push the Vandals into third place in the Big Sky standings.
“That’s something I work on over and over again. I know I can score those goals,” Rodgers said after the EWU comeback. “I tried to get open for Tori or whoever’s crossing in the ball, and to get in those areas where all I have to do is just place it. I’m happy I got on that one to tie it. I did not want to lose.”
That workmanlike mentality defines Rodgers’ game. She isn’t the flashiest player on the pitch, but she’s become indispensable in the middle of the midfield since arriving in Moscow.
While her recent goals grab headlines, her real value lies in the dirty work: connecting defense to attack, breaking up counter attacks, winning tackles, the kind of contributions that don’t get flashy headlines but win games.
This season has been a breakout season for Rodgers, who has notched four goals and one assist, with three goals coming in conference play. Over 42 career appearances and 2,805 minutes, she has netted seven goals and dished out one assist.
Ever since Rodgers arrived on campus, she’s steadily grown into one of the Vandals’ most reliable players, and her recent surge suggests she’s saving her best for when it matters most.
As the Big Sky Conference tournament approaches, Idaho will need more performances like the ones Rodgers has delivered these past two weeks.
If she continues to rise in clutch moments, both in the spotlight and in the shadows, the Vandals’ championship aspirations could become reality, and the trophy could return to Moscow.
“Looking at all these scores, it is crazy. The Big Sky is up for grabs really anywhere,” Rodgers said. “I think what we just need to focus on is just winning out. We know if we win out, we can at least get a bye or even conference championship. So, I think we just need to stay focused on that.”
Jayden Barfuss can be reached at arg-s[email protected].