FARMINGTON, Utah – The Vandals sit alone on top of the Big Sky Conference soccer standings after 1-0 wins on the weekend against preseason Big Sky favorites Northern Colorado and Montana. For their efforts, the Vandals swept Offensive and Defensive Big Sky Player of the Week honors.
 
The Vandal defense allowed just two shots on goal against Montana and three shots on goal against Northern Colorado. The defensive effort earned Cassidy Elicker Big Sky Defensive Player of the Week honor. Idaho is amid an NCAA-leading 10-match shutout streak.
 
Goalkeeper Kira Witte has been stellar so far this season, but the Vandal backline has helped her with settle into her freshman season and the combined efforts have led Idaho to become one of the best defensive teams in the country.
 
On the offensive side, Margo Schoesler returned to the field after missing most of the last three games with injuries. Her presence was felt immediately. She scored the game-winning penalty kick goal against Montana with just under three minutes remaining in the game.
 
Against Northern Colorado, she set up the lone goal with a shot that went off the right post. The ball ricocheted back to Annika Farley who sent the ball back the opposite side and past the UNC goalkeeper's hands.
 
The honors are the first for both players and the fourth defensive award and second offensive award of the year for the Vandals, the most among Big Sky teams.