MOSCOW, Idaho – The offense came alive on Friday, as Idaho (10-4-1, 6-0-0) defeated Southern Utah (6-7-1, 1-4-1), 4-0, at Guy Wicks Field. Josilyn Daggs was tremendous, as she dished out three assists, while freshman goalkeeper Amanda Poertner continued her brilliance and earned her seventh shutout of the season.
“For our defense to get another shutout, I'm very proud of them,” said head coach Derek Pittman. “It starts with our defense. Our defense helps us dictate the attack and that showed today, especially with Daggs moving up and creating opportunities all game.”
With her seventh coming on Friday afternoon, Poertner now holds the school record for shutouts in a season, breaking the previous school record that had been done twice, in 2007 and 2010. Poertner made five saves on the day, with four coming in the first half.
“I thought we really struggled in the first half,” Pittman said. “We had a difficult time getting ahold of the game, I thought it was a bit frantic the way Southern Utah came into the game. They're a tough team, because they work hard and they're scrappy and they created some chaos. I thought they controlled a lot of the first half.”
Kavita Battan got the scoring started in the 31st minute, finishing a 1-v-1 with the keeper. Daggs settled the ball to the feet of Olivia Baggerly near midfield, who then sent in a ball over the top to find Battan. The Vandals added to their lead in the 55th, with Daggs sending in a cross from the corner to find Alyssa Lloyd at the back post. Lloyd handled the rest, heading in the cross to the back of the net.
Daggs was involved in the third goal as well, as she sent a long throw to Reagan Quigley down the right side. Quigley drilled in a low cross that Baggerly handled with ease at the near post, putting Idaho up 3-0. Elexis Schlossarek scored the final goal, from the penalty spot in the 88th minute.
“You go through offensive slumps sometimes so it's just nice to see Kavita score a great goal for us in the first half, then Lloyd and Baggerly in the second half, then Lex on the penalty,” said Pittman. “It's nice to see a lot of players being able to step up and help us score goals. At halftime we talked about getting back to doing what we do well and let's make sure that we control the tempo and get organized. I'm very, very proud of them and ultimately this is a very good win for us.”
The team extended its unbeaten streak to eight games, also a new school record. Idaho has now won six straight, tying the program record set in 2010.
Next up the Vandals travel to Flagstaff, Ariz., to take on Northern Arizona. Kickoff is 12 p.m. on Sunday afternoon.
Fans can stay up-to-date on all things Idaho soccer by following the team on Twitter and Instagram, @VandalsSoccer, or on Facebook by searching Idaho Vandals Women's Soccer.
For more information on Idaho Athletics, visit GoVandals.com. Fans can also find Idaho on Twitter and Instagram, @Idaho_Vandals, or on Facebook by searching Idaho Vandals.
