MOSCOW, Idaho – A quick start was enough to propel No. 1 Idaho (14-4-2, 9-0-1) past No. 5 Montana (9-11-2, 5-4-1), 3-2, in the Big Sky Semifinal at Guy Wicks Field on Friday afternoon. The Vandals move on to face Northern Colorado in the championship match on Sunday at 12 p.m.
“I thought out players did a great job of sticking together,” said head coach Derek Pittman. “Credit to Montana, we knew they were a fantastic team and that they weren't going to lay down. They were going to do everything they could to come back and give us everything they had. But we're going to the championship, so now it's on to Sunday.”
Kayla Watanabe scored the opener in the 5th minute, chipping the keeper to put Idaho up 1-0. Alyssa Lloyd settled a goal kick from the Montana keeper to the feet of Kavita Battan, who led Watanabe in behind the defense.
Olivia Baggerly got on the end of a long throw from Josilyn Daggs just three minutes later, redirecting the cross toward goal. A Montana defender made a last-ditch-effort to clear the line, but couldn't make the save.
Kailey Norman, the Montana keeper, made several impressive saves on the day, including back-to-back tip-saves midway through the first half. The first came on a long-range shot from Baggerly, with Norman getting a fingertip on the ball to push it off the post. Two minutes later Watanabe spun a defender and ripped a shot from 15 yards out, but Norman made the reaction save to keep the game in reach.
The Vandals got one more in the first half, with Megan Goo burying a rebound from close range. Again, the play got started with the long throw from Daggs and, after bouncing around in the box, Goo pounced for her first career goal.
The Griz made a comeback in the second half, as Payton Agnew scored off a corner kick in the 49th minute. The Griz added a second in the 88th minute after a scrum in the box to put the pressure on the Vandals, but the Idaho defense closed the final few minutes well to earn the win.
“It has been hard for us, in the last couple of weeks, to train for that type of situation,” Pittman said. “We knew it was going to come, and we're really proud of our players for staying focused, even when things did get a little chaotic.”
The win is Idaho's 14th of the season, tying the program record. Idaho advances to the Big Sky Championship game on Sunday against Northern Colorado at 12 p.m. It is the first conference championship game for the Vandals in program history.
Check back with GoVandals.com tomorrow for more information.
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.
