HILLSBORO, Ore. – The Idaho women's soccer team (1-4-0, 1-2-0 BSC) dominated Portland State (0-3-0, 0-3-0 BSC), 5-0, on Friday afternoon. Maddy Lasher led the Vandals with two goals, while Kaysie Bruce, Myah Merino, and Ariel Loften each had one goal. The five goals were the most scored in a game by Idaho since 2017.

The Vikings got off the first two shots of the game, but in the eighth minute Myah Merino had two consecutive shots on goal, and the Vandals never took the foot off the gas. Bruce got Idaho on the scoreboard in the 23rd minute. Just 10 minutes later, Merino broke through again, doubling the lead. Just before halftime, Hannah Alfaro assisted an Ariel Loften goal, giving the visitors a 3-0 lead at the break.

The Vandals kept the momentum in the second half. Strong defensive play kept PSU scoreless, and in the 75th minute, Maddy Lasher scored off Alfaro's second assist of the game. Two minutes later, Lasher scored again, pushing the cushion out to 5-0.

Idaho outshot Portland State, 16-7, including a 11-2 advantage in shots on goal. Merino tallied a team-high four shots. Avrie Fox (1-4-0) earned the win in goal for the Vandals. She made two saves in 82 scoreless minutes. Hallie Byzewski played the final eight minutes. Enya Hernandez (0-3-0) took the loss for the Vikings. She made five saves while allowing five goals in 90 minutes.

The five goals were the most scored by an Idaho team since a 6-0 win over Nevada in 2017 (Sept. 17). Merino's first goal of the year gives her 11 career goals and moves her into a tie for ninth on the Vandals' all-time scoring list. Meanwhile, Bruce scored her first goal since 2017, her freshman season. Freshmen Lasher and Lofton each scored for the first time in a Vandal uniform, and Alfaro had her first career points, tallying two assists.

JEREMY CLEVENGER QUOTES: "This was a great team win. I felt we have been playing well and it was only a matter of time when the goals came. This will give us a lot of confidence going forward."

NEXT UP: The Vandals and Vikings will play again on Sunday, March 21. The match will kick off at 1 p.m.

To stay current on all Vandal Athletics visit GoVandals.com, or follow the Vandals on Twitter, @Idaho_Vandals.
 
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.