VERMILLION, S.D. – The 2016 season is finally upon us, as the Idaho soccer team hits the road to take on South Dakota on Friday at 12 p.m. (Pacific).  Weather was a concern, forcing the game to be moved up to noon (Pacific).
 
FOLLOW – A live, FREE stream of the game will be available through the link on the right or the Idaho soccer schedule page.  Live stats are also available to the right.  Fans can also follow along live on Twitter, @VandalsSoccer.
 
PREVIEW – Idaho has been hard at work all summer improving every day ahead of the 2016 season, the most highly anticipated season in program history.  Starting on the road is no easy task, but this group of Vandals certainly feels up to the challenge.
 
All 11 starters from last year's Big Sky Regular Season Championship winning side are back on the roster, while the coaching staff also brought in a tremendous group of young talent that is right on their heels.  Competition has been fierce in preseason and continues to drive the squad to improvement.
 
MATCHUP – Idaho will play three non-conference opponents that it also faced in 2015, beginning with South Dakota.  Idaho ran away with things in last year's meeting, taking the game 4-1 in Moscow.  Kavita Battan got the scoring going in the first half, with Alyssa Lloyd doubling the advantage just before the break.  Idaho grew its lead to 3-0 early in the second on an Elexis Schlossarek goal, but USD responded almost immediately with a goal of its own.  Lloyd would provide some extra insurance late.
 
GOING STREAKING – Idaho is currently riding a 14-game unbeaten streak, the longest in the country.  Over the course of the streak the Vandals allowed just seven goals and only allowed two goals once.  The streak is the second longest in Big Sky history, trailing Portland State's 16 game unbeaten streak from 2013-2014.  The streak began against South Dakota last year.
 
RANKINGS – Idaho was picked by the Big Sky coaches to repeat in 2016, after receiving five first place votes and garnering 92 of a possible 100 points.  The Vandals are also ranked 91^st in the nation in RPI.
 
NOTES – For more notes and stats, check the notes package on the right.
 
RECAP – Check back with GoVandals.com following the game for the complete recap and reactions.
 
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.