HILLSBORO, Ore. – The Idaho women's soccer team (2-4-0, 2-2-0 BSC) continued their offensive onslaught and defeated Portland State (0-4-0, 0-4-0 BSC), 5-0, on Sunday afternoon to earn the series sweep. Kaysie Bruce scored a hat trick, while Myah Merino and Hadley Sbrega each chipped in a goal.

The Vandals started out the game where they left off on Friday. In the sixth minute, a through ball by Hadley Sbrega found Bruce streaking towards goal and she was able to slot the ball past the goalie to put the Vandals up, 1-0.

Bruce scored again in the 23rd minute when Merino played a square ball in front of the net for the senior to run on to and finish.

Just two minutes later, Merino would get a goal of her own. She had the ball with only the keeper to beat and chipped the ball neatly into the back of the net for a 3-0 lead for the visitors which they would carry into halftime.


The best chance of the game for the Vikings came in the 55th minute when Sofi Papastamos was able to get a shot off from the right side of the box. Goalkeeper Avrie Fox was able to get a hand on the ball and push it out for a corner to preserve the clean sheet. The Vandals would continue to press forward. Sbrega would get a goal of her own in the 60th minute when Alyssa Peters served a corner kick in front of the net where she was waiting to head it in for her first goal of the season.

In the 75th minute, Jadyn Hanks played a beautiful ball from the right flank for Bruce to run on to. Bruce took one shot which the Viking keeper saved, but the rebound fell right to the senior's feet and she finished calmly for her third goal of the day.


Idaho outshot Portland State, 22-7, including a 11-4 advantage in shots on goal. Bruce and Jadyn Hanks each had a team high four shots. Avrie Fox (2-4-0) earned the win in goal for the Vandals. She made four saves in 82 scoreless minutes. Hallie Byzewski played the final eight minutes. Enya Hernandez (0-4-0) took the loss for the Vikings. She made six saves while allowing five goals in 90 minutes.

NOTES
The last time the Vandals scored at least five goals in consecutive games was in 2017 when they defeated Memphis, 5-4, and then Nevada, 6-0.

Bruce's hat trick was the first three-goal performance by the Vandals since Bridget Daley scored three in a 4-0 win over the Vikings in 2018 (Sept. 21).

Merino's goal was the second of the year and she now has 12 career goals which moves her into a tie for eighth on the Vandals' all-time scoring list.

The Vandals had double digit shots on goal for the second straight game. Before this weekend, the last time a Vandal team had at least 10 SOG was Oct. 19, 2018. The last time Idaho had back-to-back games with double digit SOG was 2017 against Memphis and Nevada.  

JEREMY CLEVENGER QUOTES
"This was a great weekend for the team. It was fun to see our offense create and score so many chances. Plus, our defense played amazing – keeping two clean sheets. I look forward to building from this weekend."

NEXT UP: The Vandals return home for the final time this season. Idaho will host Sacramento State for two games on March 26 and 28. Friday's match will kick off at 6 p.m., while Sunday will begin at noon.

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.