To play for the Idaho Vandals women’s soccer team, adaptation and flexibility are the name of the game. Junior center back Izzy Thoma is the perfect example of that.
Already on her third position in three years, Thoma was at her best when the pressure was at its highest. In the Big Sky tournament against the eventual champions, the Montana Grizzlies, Thoma provided two assists, including the game-tying assist to junior midfielder Sara Rodgers with eight seconds left.
It started with a free kick by redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Paula Flores, who sent the ball into the box. Thoma was in perfect position, and she flicked the ball towards Rodgers, who buried it in the bottom corner.
Thoma has been at the heart of the Vandals defense this season and has come in and filled a void in the Vandals’ defense that needed to be filled.
“She is our rock, our engine back there,” head coach Jeremy Clevenger said. “She’s our quarterback back there organizing everyone. When she’s called upon in big situations, she always shows up. She deserves all the credit.”
Thoma started her college career as a midfielder before switching to outside back last season, and then finding her calling as a center back before this season.
“My first two years, I played. This is my third position,” Thoma said. “My freshman year, I was playing midfield, and last year I was at outside back. It’s been fun to find my role on the team. I feel like center back is a position where I can control the field well, communicate with my teammates and step up to be the leader our team needs, especially with so many new players.”
Thoma started all 20 games for the Vandals this season. She logged 1,807 minutes, and with her natural instincts, defending ability and leadership on and off the field, has helped the new Vandal back line end the season with nine clean sheets and become one of the best back lines in the conference.
Thoma started the season trying to fill the void left by center backs Cassidy Elicker and Rebekah Reyes. With a brand-new back line, a position change and a new role, Thoma has stepped into the position and made it her own. She is the key to the Vandals going forward.