GRAND FORKS, N.D. – It took an inspired 90 minutes on Sunday afternoon, as Idaho (5-7-2, 1-3-1) took down North Dakota (4-7-3, 2-4-0), 2-1, for its first Big Sky win of the season.
 
"Really proud.  We've faced a lot of adversity these last several weeks with us truly trying to find our identity with this team and get back to playing like Vandals," said head coach Derek Pittman.  "I thought our players did an excellent job this entire weekend of doing some soul searching and coming together as a whole group and grinding out a tough result on the road today."
 
Summer Kaneshiro got the play started on the left side, finding Morgan Crosby.  Crosby slipped in a pass to Taylor Brust in the middle of the field who calmly collected and fired into the top right corner to put Idaho up 1-0 in the 26^th minute.

The Fighting Hawks leveled the score in the 70^th minute, scoring on a well-placed shot from the top of the box.
 
Idaho responded.  The Vandals put the pressure on over the next nine minutes, putting UND on its heels.  After a clearance from the UND back line, Malia Morales rose up to send the ball back up front.  Bridget Daley battled at the top of the box to get her head on the ball, sending it toward net and Myah Merino, who chipped the keeper to put Idaho back on top.
 
"That's how we played the entire game," said Pittman.  "We were really scrappy and we did the things that were necessary.  It wasn't always pretty at times, but I think our kids did a great job to fight and scrap and claw was great.  Even Taylor's goal in the first half was brilliant.
 
"Unfortunately she went down with a little bit of a knock, but I'm really proud of Olivia Baggerly stepping in and playing defensive midfielder, where she's never played before.  To me, it signified how far we came today, with players willing to step up and do whatever it took to get the result."
 
Makayla Presgrave was stellar in net once again, making a season-high nine saves.  The Idaho keeper controlled the game throughout, keeping the dangerous North Dakota aerial attack at bay.
 
"Mak was even good on Friday night, apart from the unfortunate mistake," Pittman said.  "It was all about how she responded to that.  She responded well in the second half on Friday and all day today.  It took a pretty special goal for them to equalize and she made the rest of the saves that she needed to make to keep us in the game."
 
The Vandals return home to take on Montana and Portland State next weekend.  Check back with GoVandals.com this week 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.