The Idaho Vandals women’s soccer team kept its postseason hopes alive Wednesday afternoon, triumphant over Utah Tech 4-2 in a penalty kick shootout after battling to a 2-2 draw through regulation and two overtime periods in the Big Sky Conference Tournament quarterfinals.
The No. 4-seeded Vandals faced No. 5 Utah Tech in a high-stakes matchup with a spot in the conference semifinals on the line. Idaho, as per usual, showed early offensive strength, building a two-goal advantage in the first half before Utah Tech fought its way back into the contest. After 110 minutes of soccer failed to produce a winner, the Vandals delivered in the penalty shootout to secure their place in the next round.
Idaho wasted little time establishing control. Mia Boltz opened the scoring in the 15th minute, finding the bottom-right corner of the net with a right-footed shot at 14:46. The Vandals doubled their advantage just 72 seconds later when Quinn Mueller scored at 15:58. Boltz and Kalina Barbosa assisted on Mueller’s goal, giving Idaho a 2-0 lead before the match had reached its 16th minute.
Utah Tech responded in the 31st minute when Lataya Brost found the back of the net to cut Idaho’s advantage to 2-1. Despite the Trailblazers’ response, the Vandals maintained their lead heading into halftime. Idaho outshot Utah Tech 8-5 during the opening half.
The second half brought a different challenge for Idaho as Utah Tech increased its attacking intensity. The Trailblazers recorded eight shots and earned six corner kicks while searching for an equalizer. Idaho continued generating opportunities of its own, adding six shots in the second period.
With just over 11 minutes remaining in regulation, Utah Tech was awarded a penalty kick. Brost converted the opportunity, sending her shot into the upper-right corner and tying the match at 2-2. Neither team managed to find another goal before the end of regulation, forcing the quarterfinal into overtime.
Both overtime periods featured determined defensive efforts from each side. Idaho continued to push forward, particularly in the second OT, when the Vandals recorded five shots compared to Utah Tech’s one. However, neither team could break the deadlock, setting up a penalty shootout to determine which program would advance.
With the season on the line, and an extremely successful one at that, Idaho remained composed from the penalty spot. Hallie Prinos-Grumbach opened the shootout with a successful attempt, followed by a made kick from Utah Tech’s Jocelyn Wright. Mueller converted Idaho’s second attempt, while Utah Tech’s Ava Talaeai missed her opportunity. Miranda Goldner then scored Idaho’s third penalty, extending the Vandals’ advantage.
After Ella Rusick converted for Utah Tech, the shootout stood at 3-2. Kahvayli Miller was unable to convert Idaho’s fourth attempt, giving the Trailblazers an opportunity to even the score. Unable to make it happen, Brost missed Utah Tech’s fourth penalty, preserving Idaho’s lead.
Freshman Kailiey King stepped up for the Vandals’ fifth attempt and delivered the deciding goal, securing a 4-2 shootout victory.
Boltz led Idaho offensively with seven shots, including five on goal, while contributing one goal and one assist. Mueller added four shots and a goal. Goldner also played an important role, converting her penalty kick during the shootout.
The Vandals finished with 20 total shots and 10 shots on goal, compared to Utah Tech’s 15 shots and seven on target. Idaho goalkeeper Paula Flores recorded five saves, helping her team remain in contention throughout the match.
This victory was an impressive one, and yet another example of Idaho’s determination and ability to perform under postseason pressure. After surrendering an early two-goal lead, the Vandals regrouped defensively, survived two overtime periods and ultimately executed when it mattered most.
With the win, Idaho advances to the Big Sky Conference Tournament semifinals, where the Vandals will face the No. 1-seeded Weber State Wildcats on Friday, November 13.
The victory keeps Idaho’s conference championship aspirations alive and moves the team one step closer to earning the Big Sky’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.