MOSCOW, Idaho – Idaho soccer picked up a split on the weekend, falling to Western Washington in Spokane on Saturday and taking down North Idaho at home on Sunday.
 
IDAHO 1, WESTERN WASHINGTON 2
 
The Vandals ran into a strong Western Washington team on Saturday afternoon in Spokane, falling to the defending Division II National Champions, 2-1.
 
The Vikings took an early 1-0 lead after a miscommunication on the backline.  The Vandals would level the score minutes later, with Kelly Dopke scoring her first of the spring on a redirection out front.  WWU claimed the win midway through the second half with a nicely placed shot into the far netting.
 
IDAHO 4, NORTH IDAHO 0
 
Idaho picked up another shutout in its final competitive match of the spring, defeating North Idaho 4-0.  Bridget Daley returned to her scoring ways early in the first, heading in a great cross from Rebecca Buratto.  The Vandals would double their lead minutes later on another tremendous cross from Buratto, this time with Anna Rose Wiencek heading in the goal.
 
Idaho would add two more in the second half, both off the foot of Megan Goo.  The goaltending duo of Julia Byerlein and Amanda Poertner picked up the shutout, making a handful of saves on the day.
 
"We were just flat yesterday, we didn't do what we should've done," said head coach Derek Pittman.  "It's immaterial who we play, we talk about that on a regular basis.  We focus on ourselves, and going out and playing with energy, pride, passion and the overall grit.  And we lacked that yesterday.  It was a good lesson for us.  It has been a long spring.  For our players to take a little bit of a lump on the chin yesterday and bounce back today showed good character on our part and hopefully we'll carry that into the last week of spring."
 
Idaho worked in a number of young players throughout the spring, especially this weekend.
 
"Becca has been coming along this spring," Pittman said.  "She was very patient throughout the fall and trained hard while biding her time.  It was good to be able to get her a couple of games under her belt this weekend.  I thought she bounced back really, really well today after struggling yesterday.  That's what the spring is for, learning some lessons and picking yourself back up to go again.  To get a couple of quality services from the right back position on the assists was really, really good on her part.
 
"We redshirted both Malia Morales and Becca in the fall, Malia basically coming back from her knee surgery two years ago.  She did a really good job and I'm really proud of her for this whole spring.  She continues to get stronger in the weight room, really getting a lot fitter in the midfield which we needed from her.  She's learning the position that we're having her play in our diamond and she's doing an excellent job.  She's showing composure on the ball, being able to connect and she's also coming into her own physically as well, to be able to win some tackles and have a physical presence on the field.  I'm really proud of what she put in today.  Overall a really, really positive weekend for her in both games."
 
Just one week of training remains, with the Vandals taking on their alumni on Saturday at 12 p.m. in the Dome to close out the spring season.
 
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.