SPOKANE, Wash – The University of Idaho played a physical first half, but was unable find the net in its 5-0 loss to Gonzaga Sunday at Luger Field.

Idaho (0-4-0) fell behind 21 minutes into the match when Gonzaga's Karley Baggerly, sister of Idaho freshman Olivia Baggerly, capitalized on a opportunity in front of the net. Freshman goalkeeper Kimberly Gerken came out to make a save, allowing Baggerly to slip past her and the defender to find the back of the net. 

“Gonzaga is a great team,” head coach Derek Pittman said. “They sent players forward and they have different ways to beat you. They can get the ball down and knock it around or they can play quick and over the top. I feel like with their first two goals that's basically what was created. Their center back put it over the top and we had a little bit of miscommunication between our center back and goalkeeper. They picked up a scrappy goal and put us behind.”

Gonzaga (3-1-0) got its second goal of the game after Baggerly fought off the defense and Gerken, finding the back right of the net. In the 60th minute Pittman substituted Gerken for sophomore Torell Stewart, who had started the three previous contests. Gonzaga added a third score in the 69th minute with a hard shot from inside the top of the box sailing past Idaho defenders and into the net.

The Bulldogs added another goal on a cross into the far post and then capped the scoring at 82:56 when Cassie Geerdts' shot from 18 yards out hit the right post, making its way into the net.

Gonzaga edged out the Vandals on shots for the day; sophomore Elexis Schlossarek had one shot while freshman Josilyn Daggs added another.  Both teams finished the day with two corner kicks. Gerken made her first career start in net for the Vandals, playing 60 minutes and making three saves on the day.

“We talk about winning together and losing together as a team,” Pittman stated. “We have to keep making ourselves better. A lot of people put in good work today, we just have to get cleaner on the attack, improve on defensive organization and get ourselves back to work this week.”

Idaho will return home Friday to play in-state rivals Boise State. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. PT.