MOSCOW, Idaho - Idaho soccer closes out the regular season with a home game against Eastern Washington. The Vandals can still snag a share of the Big Sky title with a win and an NAU loss while EWU is trying to grab one of the last two spots in the Big Sky championship field.
ABOUT IDAHO: The Vandals are 10-3-2 overall and 5-1 after earning a split last weekend. The Vandals led most of the game against Sacramento State before the Hornets scored twice in the final four minutes to pick up the win. The Idaho defense has been key so far this year. The Vandals set the Idaho record for shutouts in the season and tied the Big Sky record.
Kira Witte is tied for the top spot in the NCAA for shutouts with 11. The true freshman has recorded shutouts in all but three game this season.
Maddy Lasher now leads the Vandals in goals (4) and assists (4).
ABOUT EASTERN WASHINGTON: The Eagles are 5-7-5 on the year, but 0-6-3 on the road. EWU hasn't won a game since a 3-1 home win over Weber State on Sept. 25. Maddie Morgan has a team-high five goals and three assists. Kamryn Willoughby has a 1.59 GAA average and has 81 saves on the year to lead the eagles in between the posts.
9.
LEADING THE NATION: Kira Witte sits alone atop the standings as one of two goalkeepers in the nation with 11 shutouts this season. Witte, a freshman shutout 10 consecutive opponents during a stretch last lasted nearly two months. She broke the single-season Idaho shutout record and has climbed to a tie for third on the career shutout mark in just 13 career games. She is also tied for the Big Sky Conference single-season shutout record. She had a career-best 12 saves against NAU.
DEFENSE: While Witte has been stellar in her first season as a Vandal, the Idaho back line and midfielders have also been outstanding. Idaho has allowed the fewest goals in the season of any Big Sky team, but the Vandals are just seventh for saves, meaning that the defense has limited scoring chances of other teams.
BIG SKY STANDINGS: NAU has locked up the number one seed and at least a share of the Big Sky title. The Vandals can grab a share with win and a loss by NAU at Portland State. The Vandals have locked up a spot in the tournament and can lock up the second overall seed with a win.
SENIOR DAY: Today we recognize seniors
Hallie Byzewski and
Julia Bailey as well as grad student
Savannah Foster. The trio have certainly made their mark for the Vandals. Bailey played in 26 games for the Vandals and score three goals. She has played in eight games this season. Byzewski played in four games during her career, recording one win. Foster set the school record for appearances last week. She has played in 79 games, starting in 66. She has 10 goals, including five game winners and four assists. She has played over 6,000 minutes in her career.
