MOSCOW, Idaho – With the 2017 season fast approaching the Idaho women's soccer team is set to compete in a different facility than ever before, entering the Kibbie Dome and becoming the only Division I program in the country to play exclusively indoors
 
"We're very excited to be able to move into the Kibbie Dome and be able to play on a brand new surface," said head coach Derek Pittman.  "We're very thankful to President (Chuck) Staben and Dr. (Rob) Spear for making this happen."
 
The move puts Idaho in a class of its own, as the only Division I program to use an indoor facility as its primary home.  The move, however, required a good amount of planning and a number of changes to the facility, including a brand new turf.
 
"We're excited because we are going to become the first Division I college soccer program to play inside," Director of Athletics Rob Spear said.  "That means we're going to extend the turf from endwall to endwall and the entire floor will be covered.
 
"It's really about replacing the turf that's at the end of its useful life and making sure we have the best technology available to protect our student athletes.  This is the newest generation of turf.  It's going to really add a lot of quality to the inside of the Kibbie Dome.  It's going to be a quality surface for our student athletes for both football and soccer."
 
Putting a soccer field on a football field is not as easy as it seems, as a soccer pitch is nearly 17 yards wider.  The new turf will stretch from corner to corner of the Kibbie Dome to allow enough room for a 116-yard by 70-yard pitch.  The installation process will take 4-6 weeks and will begin in late June to be ready in time for fall camps.  The Matrix synthetic turf system, installed by Hellas Construction, is also used at AT&T Stadium - home of the Dallas Cowboys.
 
Where before the team and staff had to move all their operations down to Guy Wicks Field for training and competition, the new home provides a better location that offers a number of new avenues to explore. 
 
"It's a great venue with our locker rooms, meeting rooms and training rooms all centrally located," said Pittman.  "I know our players and future recruits are very excited about the opportunity to play in the Kibbie Dome."
 
Can't make it out to a game in the Dome in 2017?  The move also brings a number of technological advancements that were not possible at Guy Wicks Field.  Tops among them is live streaming of all home contests.
 
"It's going to be a great venue for our players to be able to showcase our talents and continue to protect our home field," Pittman continued.  "I'm very happy to have the opportunity to host 12 home games in 2017 in our brand new facility.  I'm excited about the opportunity to continue having success here with Vandals Soccer and continue moving forward into the coming years."
 
The Vandals have been incredibly successful at home with an 18-game unbeaten stretch over the last two-plus seasons.  Idaho hasn't dropped a home match since October 17, 2014, a stretch that covers 901 days, the second longest streak in the nation.  Only Florida State, a squad that advanced to the Women's College Cup in 2015, has gone longer without dropping a game at home.
 
Idaho won the 2016 Big Sky Regular Season title at 7-1-2, but was forced to move the Championships to Cheney due to poor field conditions.  The Vandals also won the regular season in 2015, finishing the conference season at 9-0-1.
 
Fans can stay up-to-date on all things Idaho soccer by following the team on Twitter and Instagram, @VandalsSoccer, or on Facebook by searching Idaho Vandals Women's Soccer.

For more information on Idaho Athletics, visit GoVandals.com.  Fans can also find Idaho on Twitter and Instagram, @Idaho_Vandals, or on Facebook by searching Idaho Vandals.