MOSCOW, Idaho – The Vandal soccer team started Big Sky Conference Play with a 1-1 draw on Wednesday night hosting Weber State. Idaho improved to 5-2-2 overall with the game-equalizer from Hannah Alfaro in the 74th minute.
The Vandals out-shot the Wildcats 13-6 and had over 50% of the possession. Five Vandals fired a shot on goal while Margo Schoesler led with three total shots.
With the goal tonight, Hannah Alfaro has three on the season, doubling her career total to six goals. Alfaro leads the teams in goals and points (seven) for the 2023 season. Alyssa Peters' assist marked number six of the season and 17th of her career. Peters leads the team in assists.
The first half was quiet for Weber State as they were allowed only one shot and Kira Witte did not need to make any saves. Annika Farley had the best opportunity when she ran onto a through ball and attempted to chip the ball over the Wildcat keeper. The shot rang off the top crossbar and luck was not on Idaho's side.
Weber State broke the scoring drought with a goal in the 66th minute from Grace Kirby. The Vandals responded less than eight minutes later with the equalizer off a corner kick. Peters served the ball from the far left corner into the 18-yard box. The ball bounced around a bit until Alfaro stepped up and knocked it into the net.
The equalizer stirred the Vandals' offense and they put intense pressure on the Wildcats. Idaho thought they had the go-ahead goal after the Wildcat keeper went down on a 50/50 tackle. The goal was called back due to contact with the keeper and the Vandals continued the attack.
Minutes later, Jadyn Hanks was running onto a ball past Weber State's backline until she was tackled by the last defender. The tackle denied an obvious goal-scoring opportunity and the Wildcats were shown a red card with less than three minutes remaining. Unfortunately, the Vandals fell short and finished their first conference game in a draw.
The Vandals hit the road to Pocatello this weekend as they take on Idaho State on Sunday at noon.
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