MOSCOW, Idaho—Idaho sophomore Gabby Leong netted the game-winner in Sunday's 2-1 Vandal win over visiting Northern Arizona. Leong's second goal of the season broke the 1-1 tie, with all three goals coming in a four minute span. Idaho improved to 3-9-1 on the season, remaining undefeated in Big Sky Conference play with a 3-0-1 record.
“I thought our team executed our game plan flawlessly today,” head coach Derek Pittman said. “We stayed organized defensively and our entire backline did a great job. Torell [Stewart] in goal kept things simple, making the saves she needed to make. I am really proud of our team.”
NAU (5-4-2, 1-1-1) opened the game's scoring jumping ahead 1-0 in the 24th minute off the head of Adrian Nix. The goal marked the first shot on net for NAU, who had been on its heels defensively. The Silver and Gold hung tough finding themselves down, refusing to let the momentum shift. In the 26th minute Emily Ngan ripped a shot from 25 yards out, forcing Natalie Gilbertson to make a leaping save. Ngan's shot caromed off Gilbertson's finger tips and banked off the crossbar, landing back inside the box. The ball found the foot of freshman Olivia Baggerly, who put it past the out of position Gilbertson, to even the score.
“Right after [allowing] the goal we just said 'let us refocus and push the restart button,'” Leong commented. “We went out there and scored to tie the game and Then we added the second one. Today was a great team effort.”
Idaho outshot NAU in the first half, 10-5, and 3-2 on net. Leong led the team on Sunday with four shots, two on target. In the 28th minute she found the back of the net off a blocked Chloe Bell shot, for eventual game-winner.
“Sometimes you make your own luck,” Pittman added. “Being in the right place at the right time and being willing to do whatever it takes to get a foot on the ball.”
The Lumberjacks put the pressure on Idaho in the second half. NAU totaled 12 shots to Idaho's five in the final 45 minutes. Torell Stewart was perfect after allowing the 'Jacks goal. She made five saves following the goal to keep NAU off the board.
The Vandals are undefeated in conference play through four games for the first time since 2010. Idaho opened up 4-0-0 on its way to a 5-3-0 Western Athletic Conference record. The team is back on the road next week with matches Friday (Oct. 10, 2 p.m. PT) at Montana and Easter Washington (Oct. 12/1 p.m. PT).
