GALLERY

MOSCOW, Idaho – Practice is underway for Idaho soccer, with the Vandals taking the field for the first time ahead of their 20^th season as a program.
 
"It was exciting, I thought our players did an excellent job of coming in very fit and coming in ready to play," said head coach Derek Pittman.  "They did an excellent job in the beep test and some of the other testing we did this morning, and I thought they had great energy this afternoon."
 
The Vandals will be moving into the Kibbie Dome in 2017, becoming the first NCAA women's team to play exclusively indoors.  The squad will be playing on a brand new surface, the same surface that is featured in AT&T Stadium in Dallas.
 
"It's a blast, it's absolute excitement in the fact that our players got a chance to test things out and be able to get used to the new surface," Pittman said.  "It's a lot different than playing on grass, a lot different than playing at Guy Wicks.  I know our players are very happy to be able to knock the ball around and get some quality soccer in."
 
Despite losing seven starters and nine seniors, Idaho returns a lot of experience from a squad that won its second consecutive Big Sky Regular Season title in 2016.  Pittman and his staff also brought in a number of freshmen and a handful of transfers that are sure to compete for time from the start.
 
"There were a couple players, specifically," said Pittman.  "I thought Kelly Dopke did an excellent job, with Olivia Baggerly this morning and their results in the fitness tests.
 
"A couple kids scored some nice goals today, which I thought was really good.  Bridget Daley as well as Kaysie Bruce knocked in a couple in our scrimmage, which was nice to see."
 
The regular season kicks off on the road at UC Santa Barbara on Friday, August 18.  The Vandals return home to take on in-state rival Boise State on Friday, August 25, in the first NCAA women's soccer game played indoors. 
 
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.