MOSCOW, Idaho – In a last-minute heroic effort, Jayd Sprague headed in the game-winning goal over Northern Arizona on Sunday afternoon in the P1FCU Kibbie Dome. The goal sealed the No. 2 seed for Idaho in the Big Sky Tournament starting next week.
Idaho finished the conference season 5-2-1, earning 14 points. They finish the regular season with their second consecutive runner-up finish. Head coach, Jeremy Clevenger became the winningest coach in Idaho soccer history with today's victory. He has 51 wins at Idaho and 71 in his career.
Peters found Sprague for the fourth time this season from the corner. Sprague has four goals on the season, with three game-winners. Peters earned her eighth assist of the season and 19th of her career.
Going into the game, both teams knew they needed to win to earn second and secure a bye in the first round of the tournament. The first 45 minutes did not disappoint as both teams tested the keepers attempting to find the breakthrough goal. Both teams fired off six shots.
After a little half-time pep talk, the Vandals returned to the field with a fire beneath them. For the majority of the second half, Idaho was knocking on Northern Arizona's door just waiting for their chance. The possession remained in the NAU defensive half for minutes on end as Idaho had two very close chances. Margo Schoesler and Karli Yoshida-Williams were both inches away from finding the back of the net.
With 93 seconds left in the game, Jadyn Hanks earned a corner kick for the Vandals. Like always, Peters stepped up to take the kick. From the right-hand side, Peters crossed the ball into the back side of the six-yard box. None other than Sprague was there, higher than every other player on the field. Sprague redirected the ball with her head toward the net and finally gave Idaho the go-ahead goal.
Kira Witte came in clutch in the final seconds as the Lumberjacks tried to equalize off a corner kick of their own. NAU sent the ball in and the Vandal defense blocked it, sending it back out to the NAU player that took the corner. The NAU player fired off a shot from distance and Witte got her gloves on it, redirecting it over the goal. The effort paid off and Idaho celebrated seconds before the final whistle.
Today was a day for celebration, as 12 seniors and super seniors were honored following the game. The senior class was arguably the best in Idaho history. They went 37-19-7 overall in the past four seasons, featuring two second-place finishes in the Big Sky regular season and a second-place finish at the tournament in the 2022 season.
Seven of the 12 honored today entered Idaho as the freshman class in 2019 and all of them stayed the full four years. Hallie Byzewski, Makenzie Burks, Ariel Loften, Kaitlyn Uemoto, Sara Evans, and Maya Hamilton all played their final home games as a Vandal. The remaining seniors, Maddy Lasher, Alyssa Peters, Jayd Sprague, Jadyn Hanks, Hannah Alfaro, and Margo Schoesler are considering, if not already committed, to coming back for a fifth and final season.
Big Sky Tournament
With the No. 2 seed, the Vandals will sit out the first round and wait to play the winner of No. 3 Portland State and No. 6 Idaho State. The semifinal match will take place on Friday, November 3rd at 2:00 p.m. PST.
On the other side of the bracket, Montana earned the No. 1 seed and will wait to play the winner of No. 4 Northern Arizona and No. 5 Sacramento State. That semifinal game will be played at 5:00 p.m. PST on November 3rd.
The championship match will take place on Sunday, November 5th at noon PST.
Final Conference Standings
#1 Montana – 22 points
#2 Idaho – 16 points
#3 Portland State – 14 points
#4 Northern Arizona – 13 points
#5 Sacramento State – 9 points
#6 Idaho State – 8 points
#7 Weber State – 7 points
#8 Northern Colorado – 6 points
#9 Eastern Washington – 4 points
