BOISE, Idaho – It was an excellent weekend for Idaho soccer as the Vandals played three games in two days, finishing 2-0-1 and conceding just one goal.
 
"I think overall it was a really good weekend," said head coach Derek Pittman.  "Having to replace so many starters from last season is a great opportunity for some of these new faces to step up into their new roles.  I thought we defended very well on the weekend, scored some good goals on Saturday and unfortunately we just weren't able to score today.  Boise State gave us a really good test.  I thought tactically our players stood up and represented themselves very well.  Overall it's a good launching point for the rest of the spring to keep moving forward and keep getting better."
 
GAME 1 – Northwest Nazarene | Win, 3-1
 
Idaho came out aggressive in the first game, using its size and speed advantages to take control early.  Newcomer Bridget Daley made an immediate impact, scoring on a rocket from the corner of the box to put Idaho up 1-0 midway through the first half.
 
Not to be outdone, Olivia Baggerly took her own shot from range, this time around 35 yards out, finding the top corner with an absolute bullet to double the advantage.  Idaho would score one more in the half, after a long string of passes found Clara Gomez in the box.
 
GAME 2 – College of Idaho | Win, 3-0
 
Once again the Vandals were solid early, but didn't find the net until late in the first half.  Morgan Crosby sent in a tremendous ball on the corner kick, finding Kelly Dopke cutting toward the back post.  Dopke rose up above the defense and headed the ball into the back of the net with authority.
 
The two stars from game one came alive again in the second half.  Daley sent in a nice pass to spring Baggerly on net, but the keeper made an excellent save.  Baggerly stayed on it, though, pouncing on the rebound for her second goal of the day.  Daley would get back on the board minutes later, finishing from close range on a long throw after a great redirect from Anna Rose Wiencek.
 
IN NET
 
Makayla Presgrave got the start for the Vandals in both games, making her first appearances with the Silver and Gold.  She wasn't tested much, but she handled her opportunities well, earning a pair of shutout halves.
 
Julia Byerlein was solid in net in the second half of the first game.  She conceded one goal, but it came after an unlucky bounce following a tremendous save on a breakaway that NNU was able to track down and tap in.  Amanda Poertner took over for the second half in game two, keeping the clean sheet intact.
 
GAME 3 – Boise State | Draw, 0-0
 
Game three proved to be the most challenging for the Vandals, playing with a short bench and on very limited rest.  Both teams played a more open style on Sunday, with each getting a number of opportunities throughout.
 
Presgrave earned the shutout, this time making a handful of exceptional saves to keep the Broncos off the board.  The transfer is still working with the new defense, but has already shown a tremendous ability to control the back line.  The defensive unit is still working hard to replace the two seniors lost to graduation, but came together in the final match.
 
"I thought AR had a great weekend.  She's still coming back into fitness after surgery, but I thought she did really well.  She stepped up in today's game and played all 70 minutes and really did a good job shutting down Boise State.  I thought Claire Johnson played well at the left back, she hadn't had a lot of minutes over the last two years.  And just players like Myah Merino and Morgan Crosby and some others, they had a chance to play some considerable minutes.  They've been patiently waiting for their chances and they played well this weekend."
 
"Mak did a great job in goal, playing four halves and keeping shutouts.  She has a very calming presence for us in the back, did a great job of communicating.  Didn't have any massive saves to make in the back, but the situations that she was faced with she did really well.
 
Bridget slotted in like she had been with us for the last two years.  She was very dangerous on the attack, scored two very good goals on Saturday and came close to scoring again today if it wasn't for a quality save from the keeper."
 
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