MOSCOW ? The Idaho women's soccer team knew it had a tough test coming when #25 Washington State came to town, but the Vandals started the game on their heels and dropped a 4-0 decision to the Cougars.
“They came at us right out of the starting blocks, we were on the back foot and we gave them three goals,” Idaho head coach Pete Showler said. “They took them very well, but we gave them three goals, and against a team of that quality, you can't do that.”
WSU took the ball into the Vandal zone early and often in the first half. The Cougars got on the board just 2:34 into the match, then added another goal just over four minutes later. Idaho was only able to get off a single shot in the first half, compared to WSU's 13.
After the team played a tough Oregon State team into double overtime just a week ago, Showler said that he thought the Vandals would come out and hang with the Cougars.
“It surprised me after our performance last Sunday against a physical Oregon State team that we didn't come out better in the first half,” Showler said.
With the loss, Idaho drops its third straight match and sends the team's record to 4-6 on the season. You can't fault the Vandals for trying, though. Each of Idaho's last five opponents has entered their respective matches with winning records?one is nationally ranked, two are regionally ranked and two more have received votes for regional rankings.
Junior Michelle Jordan made her first appearance in the goal for the Vandals this season, as she played all 45 minutes of the second half. She allowed one goal when a crossing pass hit the post, then a Vandal defender, then the post again, then the defender again?then fell into the goal.
Sophomore Anna Sandman, the WAC's leader in saves and saves per game, gave up three quick goals and ended up with three goals allowed and a pair of saves in 45 minutes.
Idaho began the season on a hot streak, going 3-1 in its first four games, but has lost five of its last six since then. The shutout loss is just the second time the Vandals have failed to score this season. Through 10 games last year, Idaho was shut out nine times.
The Vandals look to reverse their fortunes on Sunday at 1 p.m. when they host Eastern Washington in their final non-conference action of the season. The Eagles are 4-4 and are coming off a 3-2 victory over San Jose State.
