MOSCOW, Idaho – The University of Idaho women's soccer team celebrated its solid 2014 season with an end of the season banquet celebration. Head coach Derek Pittman honored four individual players for their outstanding contributions to the team and also said a bittersweet farewell to two seniors.
Idaho opened the 2014 season with a challenging non-conference schedule, which proved fruitful once the team began Big Sky Conference play. Idaho went 4-4-2 in conference, finishing in seventh-place, only one point shy of the Big Sky Tournament.
The silver and gold saw wins against Northern Colorado (3-2), North Dakota (1-0), Northern Arizona (2-1) and Eastern Washington (1-0). Idaho also played in two hard-fought draws against Southern Utah (2-2) and Idaho State (2-2).
The Vandals hosted nine home games during the season, playing in front of multiple record-breaking crowds.
During the banquet, Pittman also handed out multiple awards.
Freshman Chloe Bell received the Newcomer of the Year award. Bell played and started in all 20 games for Idaho. She recorded three goals and three assists concluding the season with nine points.
Offensive Player of the Year went to freshman Olivia Baggerly. Baggerly led the team in goals with four, and also added three assists. She played in 18 games, starting in seven of them. Sophomore Amanda Pease earned the Defensive Player of the Year. Pease played and started in 18 games during the season and proved she was an essential member of the Vandal backline.
Sophomore Elexis Schlossarek was awarded Team Player of the Year. Schlossarek was an essential member of the Vandal defense, starting in all 20 games for Idaho. She also represented the Vandals as the 2014 team captain. She ended the season with one goal and two assists.
Seniors Kat Comesana and Emily Ngan were also recognized for their roles on the team. Comesana's season was cut short with a season-ending knee injury in the Vandals second game of the season. Although she wasn't able to play, Comesana left a lasting impression with her constant encouragement and positive attitude. Ngan concluded her soccer career after four exceptional years with the Vandals. She played in a total of 67 games, totaling 52 starts as an outside back. During her final season, Ngan was a main stay at right back starting in 19 games for Idaho.
“It was a great night to celebrate the playing careers of our two seniors, Kat and Emily, and all they have given to our program. They will be missed and we wish them all the best in their post college endeavors,” Pittman said. “Our program took steps in a positive direction in 2014 which is a credit to those seniors as well as the younger players that are working hard to continue moving us forward. It was also a lot of fun to reward players like Elexis, Amanda, Chloe and Olivia with their season awards. All of us are excited about the future of Vandals Soccer in 2015!”
Idaho is already in full force training on and off the field in preparation for the 2015 season.
The Vandals showcase their talent in seven spring games. Idaho hosts Gonzaga on Saturday (Mar.28) before traveling to Portland, Ore., on Saturday, Apr.4 to faceoff against Concordia and Corban. Idaho stays on the road to take on Spokane Falls CC on Tuesday Apr.14. The team returns home Saturday, Apr.18 to welcome back past soccer alumni. In their final home match of the spring season, Idaho will host North Idaho College on Sunday, Apr.19. Idaho concludes its spring schedule with a 7-on-7 tournament hosted by Gonzaga.
