MOSCOW, Idaho - The University of Idaho women's soccer team suffered its 10th loss of the season, falling 3-0 to Gonzaga at Guy Wicks Field.
The Vandals (0-10-0) trailed 1-0 at halftime before giving up two goals in the first five minutes of the second half. Gonzaga improved to 5-3-1 with the win.
"Up until the goal in the first half it was a pretty even game," Idaho coach Pete Showler said. "I was pleased with how we didn't give up after that goal. We pressured a little higher up the field than I wanted at times, but the players worked hard to keep our shape. A goalkeeping error 30 seconds into the second half sucked our energy away, but thankfully the players didn't give up. Even when we went three down the players came back at it, created some chances with some one-on-ones and some breakaways, but we can't finish a sandwich right now."
The shutout loss was the ninth of the season for the Vandals, who have now been outscored 39-2 in 2006.
Gonzaga scored in the 23rd minute on a breakaway goal where both coaches thought the player may have been offsides. The second goal came just 31 seconds into the second half off a free kick following an Idaho yellow card. The final insurance goal came in the 50th minute on another breakaway shot where Idaho goalkeeper Caylee Ketchum blocked the first shot but could not secure the ball and the Gonzaga player scored on the rebound from the right angle.
"These players are working really hard on the things we are trying to do, but we are giving up too many soft goals and those take away some of our energy. I'm blessed that these players don't give up," Showler said.
The home crowd was given something to cheer about when freshman goalkeeper Anna Sandman, playing in her first Division I soccer game, stopped a penalty shot by Gonzaga's Traci Dallas at the 80-minute mark. Sandman played just under 31 minutes and grabbed three saves without surrendering a goal.
"Anna did great," Showler said. "With three keepers they all know they have to compete for that spot when they get the chance. What a great save to start her career. Anna was big, made herself large, and did a great job and that gives so much confidence to the team. I was over the moon."
Gonzaga had 25 shots to Idaho's four and held the advantage in corner kicks 8-0. The Bulldogs had nine shots on goal compared to three for Idaho.
The Vandals now travel to Eugene, Ore., to take on the University of Oregon, Sunday, at 1 p.m.
