MOSCOW, Idaho – The wait is finally over, as the Idaho women's soccer team took the pitch for its first practice on Wednesday morning, marking the official beginning of the 2016 season.
 
Most of last year's roster is returning, including all 11 starters from a squad that ran through the Big Sky with an unbeaten record of 9-0-1.  Head coach Derek Pittman and his staff were also hard at work in building toward the future, bringing in 10 new athletes that are poised to compete early and carry on the Vandal tradition for the coming years.


 
Fans can get their first look at the new Vandals on Monday, August 15, when the squad will take on Eastern Oregon in an exhibition match at Guy Wicks Field at 5 p.m.  Players and coaches will also be sticking around the pitch after the match for a free clinic with the local youth, in eighth grade or below.  No registration is required.
 
The Vandals kick off the regular season on Friday, August 19, at South Dakota.  Idaho will return home the following Sunday, August 21, to take on Grand Canyon, and Friday August 26, to face Gonzaga.
 
2015 was a banner year for the Vandals, as Idaho won its first ever regular season conference championship and tied the program record for wins with 14.  The Vandals also set program records for goals, assists, points and shutouts, and placed eight athletes on All-Big Sky teams.  Freshman sensation Amanda Poertner earned Big Sky Goalkeeper of the Year honors, while junior Clara Gomez set the conference record for assists in a season.  Idaho is currently riding a 14-game unbeaten streak, the longest in the country.
 
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.