GREELEY, Colo. - No slow starts, no hiccups and no disappointing finishes for Idaho women's soccer this time around.

The Vandal women improved to 1-1 on the season in a 3-2 win over Northern Colorado (2-1) on Friday in a gritty match that saw Idaho's diversity on display.

"It was scrappy," Idaho head coach Pete Showler said. "It wasn't the prettiest of games, but a win is a win. The girls battled hard, worked for each other and ground out a result, and that's all that matters."

The Bear defense keyed heavily on sophomore Chelsea Small, Idaho's leading scorer and preseason all-WAC honoree, to try to slow the Vandal attack, but Idaho spread the ball around and found the holes in the back line early and often.

Sophomore Jill Flockhart struck first for Idaho with a strong cross that deflected into a defender and found the back of the net at the 9:58 mark. The score was credited as an Own Goal. She led the attack again 13 minutes later when she found Megan Lopez for a one-timer that put Idaho up 2-0 in the 23rd minute.

"There was a lot of pressure on Chelsea as soon as she touched the ball, but that left space in other areas and Jill really took advantage," Showler said. "She got the ball into the danger area, and that's what caused both those scores."

UNC headed in its first score on a corner late in the first half to trim Idaho's lead to 2-1 at 37:45. The Vandals came out of the halftime break with fire, and put the pressure back on UNC and midfielder Erica Hart notched the game-winner with her third career goal at the 53:12 mark.

"We came out in the second half and played quicker, up-tempo soccer," Showler said. "Erica took a nice pass and put a shot right into the corner - the keeper had no chance."

UNC made Idaho sweat in the closing minutes after pushing everything forward and drawing within one score with a goal at the 86:31 mark.

"They threw everything at us but the kitchen sink, but we held tight," Showler said. "It was a tough battle. Northern Colorado did not make it easy. There's a reason they won their first two games."

UNC outshot Idaho 19-9 overall, but just 6-4 in on-target shots. Vandal goalkeeper Liz Boyden made four saves and gave up two scores in 90 minutes. The Bears also had six corners to Idaho's five and committed five fouls, while Idaho had four.

Despite being hounded for most of the game, Small still led Idaho with four shots, while Hart fired off a pair. Lopez's goal was the first of her career, while Flockhart's assist was her second. Hart's goal was the third of her career and was the first game-winning score.

The Vandals will continue their current road trip at Wyoming on Sunday at 12 p.m. (PDT). The Cowgirls are 1-2 overall after beating Buffalo on Friday night by a 3-0 margin.

"For being a youthful team, it's good to get that first win on the road in the way we did," Showler said. "We didn't cave in and we held it fast under some pressure.

"The challenge now for the girls on Sunday is, 'Can we get that second win now?'"