The University of Idaho women’s soccer team finished their nonconference schedule on a high note on Sunday, Sept. 20, defeating UC Davis 2-0 at the Aggie Soccer Field in Davis, California. The victory improved the Vandals’ record to 6-2-1 on the season and gave Idaho another strong result heading into the next stage of its 2026 campaign.
The earlier loss to San Francisco on Thursday, Sept. 17 appears to have been just a short blip in the Vandals’ long winning streak. Following that defeat, the team responded with a complete game performance against UC Davis.
The first half was competitive, with both teams working hard to create opportunities. Idaho eventually broke through in the 34th minute. Senior forward Payton Oelkers scored the opening goal after getting a rebound ahead of UC Davis freshman goalkeeper Dina Frenkel.
Idaho took that lead into halftime, and they didn’t let up after the break. Just over a minute into the second half, freshman defender Kalina Barbosa doubled the advantage. Barbosa scored at the 46:17 mark with a long-distance strike, putting Idaho ahead 2-0 and giving the Vandals valuable breathing room early in the second half.
From there, Idaho’s defense helped preserve the shutout. UC Davis managed only five total shots during the match, with just two of those reaching the target. Idaho’s senior goalkeeper Paula Flores made two saves, while the Vandals’ defensive effort prevented the Aggies from finding a way back into the game entirely.
The Vandals finished with 13 shots compared with five for UC Davis and put six of their attempts on goal. Idaho also earned four corner kicks, while the Aggies didn’t record a single corner. The Vandals committed 10 fouls, compared to 14 by UC Davis.
The result was particularly important following Idaho’s narrow loss to San Francisco earlier in the week. Against the Dons, Idaho had actually produced 17 shots to San Francisco’s five but was unable to find the back of the net. This time, their spark reignited. The Vandals showed their offensive pressure by scoring twice while keeping UC Davis off the scoreboard.
The victory also continued a strong stretch for Idaho goalkeeper Paula Flores. Earlier in September, Flores recorded her 21st career shutout in a 1-0 win over South Dakota, becoming Idaho’s all-time leader in career clean sheets. Her two-save performance against UC Davis added another shutout to her record-setting season.
For Idaho, the win brought the team to 6-2-1 overall as it moved toward conference play. The Vandals’ 2026 nonconference schedule included opponents from several different conferences and featured road trips through South Dakota and California, along with contests against teams such as Washington State, Hawaii and Grand Canyon. The schedule is preparing Idaho for Big Sky Conference competition later in the season.
The victory in Davis provided an exhilarating conclusion to that nonconference portion of the schedule. Oelkers’ first-half goal gave Idaho the initial breakthrough, while Barbosa’s early second-half strike provided the insurance. Combined with another clean sheet, the performance only fueled the Vandals’ fire after the San Francisco loss.
As Idaho moves forward, the team will look to carry the defensive wall and attacking prowess displayed against UC Davis into the rest of the season. With a 6-2-1 record after nine matches, the Vandals have established themselves as an absolute threat in the league heading into the next phase of their schedule.
The Vandals next matchup will be home against 5-4-1 Gonzaga on Friday, September 25 at 7 p.m.