MOSCOW, Idaho – With the lone exhibition on the schedule just three days away, Idaho soccer is hard at work in the Kibbie Dome in preparations.
 
"We focused heavily in the first week or so on the big-sided numbers," said head coach Derek Pittman.  "Really implementing how we defend and how we attack.  Now we're taking the next four or five days to really try to break those things down and implement some of the pieces that help us be effective in that overall scheme."
 
"Things are looking good.  We came in in really, really good shape," senior forward/midfielder Olivia Baggerly commented.  "So normally we do three or four double days, but we've been holding back a lot more and doing a lot more technical work and implementing early ideas.  Because we came in so fit we're able to do things that we're usually doing about a month in."
 
With the exhibition coming up on Sunday at 1 p.m. in the Kibbie Dome, Pittman is starting to see his lineup take shape.
 
"Some of the usual suspects have stood out," Pittman continued.  "Olivia Baggerly had a tremendous weekend, both in the Sunday scrimmage as well as Tuesday.  She has been hitting on all cylinders, really happy with what she has provided for us.  Bridget Daley has been fantastic.  Summer Kaneshiro scored a goal on Sunday that I thought was really good.  Some of the younger players are coming along.  There has been a really healthy competition in a lot of spots, which has been exciting to see, which is what you want at this point in the camp."
 
Senior Olivia Baggerly has big shoes to fill, after the Vandals lost nine seniors to graduation in the offseason.  And with Mount Royal coming into the Dome on Sunday, she knows how important it is to stay focused.
 
"I would just say focusing," Baggerly said.  "I think a lot of the hype right now is around Boise State but I told the team a couple days ago 'look guys, we have three huge games coming up before this Boise State game.'  This is our first game in the Dome actually, so I think focusing on that.  We just need to play like we're playing Boise State.  We're so excited for that game and the big California trip but we have to start first here.
 
"My biggest goal is to not look forward.  I think it's to just stay in the moment.  I am a little nervous and I have a little bit of anxiety about being a senior but I'm trying to sit in the moment and play it game-by-game."
 
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.