MOSCOW, Idaho – Three Vandals scored their first career goals in tonight's 4-1 win over Northern Colorado. Head coach, Jeremy Clevenger led the Vandals to his 50th win at Idaho. He is the second women's soccer coach to achieve the milestone.
Idaho picked up three important points as they improved to 4-2-1 in conference play. The Vandals recorded their second four-goal game of conference play with credit to goal scorers Margo Schoesler, Naomi Alvarez, Karli Yoshida-Williams, and Sara Rodgers. For the second straight game, Idaho fought from behind to earn the win.
Northern Colorado got on the board early in the third minute. It was the fastest goal scored against the Vandals all season. Idaho did not take long to find the equalizer as Yoshida-Williams earned a penalty kick in the seventh minute. Senior, Schoesler stepped up to the spot and placed the PK in the left side of the net.
Late into the first 45 minutes, Alvarez scored the game-winner. With less than two minutes in the half, Cassidy Elicker stepped up to take a free kick just past the half line. Elicker sent the ball soaring high into the 18-yard box where it went untouched, bouncing closer to goal. Alvarez helped the ball progress with a header just over the keeper's hands.
The second half was just as eventful, as Yoshida-Williams finally found the back of the net for the first time in her two seasons at Idaho. Jadyn Hanks collected a ball off a goal-kick from the Bears. She attacked the right-hand side, took the ball down the end line, and laid it off to Yoshida-Williams in the box. Yoshida-Williams was able to get her foot in front of her defender, redirecting the ball into the opposite side of the net in the 61st minute.
Rodgers added one more for good measure in the 78th minute for the Vandals. Makenzie Burks stepped up to take a throw-in on the right side. Burks' long throw caused chaos in the box as it bounced around until it found Rodgers' feet. Rodgers collected it with one touch and then nailed her shot near-post. She is the second true freshman to score this season.
The Vandals outshot the Bears 22-12 with 13 on goal. Besides the goal, Kira Witte had a relatively quiet time in goal, recording just three saves. 24 Vandals had the opportunity to see play time in tonight's win.
Idaho sits tied for third in the Big Sky with 13 points. Our Sunday opponent, Northern Arizona also has 13 points. While the first-place title has already been claimed by Montana, Idaho still has a chance to claim No. 2 with a win on Sunday in addition to a tie or loss for Portland State at Montana. If the Vandals win on Sunday, Clevenger will become the winningest coach in Idaho women's soccer history with 51 victories.
The Vandals will fight for a top-four seed on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. in the P1FCU Kibbie Dome against Northern Arizona. Idaho will also honor 12 seniors after the match.
