MOSCOW, Idaho – Idaho soccer takes it's 2-0 start to Hawaii for its first neutral-site match up of the season, facing off against Western Michigan on Tuesday at 7 PM. The meeting marks the first between the two programs, and the first regular season match up for the Broncos.   

Idaho enters the match up following a powerful opening week that saw a 3-0 road victory at WSU, and a 1-0 home opener win vs CSUN. The pair of victories mark U of I's first 2-0 start since 2021, and the 200th program win, while the defense have yet to allow a goal through 180 minutes of play.  

The Vandals have found contributions throughout the lineup in the past matches. Alyssa Hamilton and Hallie Prinos-Grumbach each enter the week with a goal and an assist, while Payton Oelkers found the net for the sole goal in Saturday's match-up against CSUN.  

Defensively, the Black and Gold have opened the year with back-to-back shutouts from Paula Flores. The senior keeper has turned away all 5 attempts on goal in the first two matches, helping the Vandals carry a perfect defensive record into its trip to the Outrigger Invitational in Hawai'i.  

Western Michigan will make its regular season debut against the Vandals following an undefeated exhibition slate, where it saw victories against Purdue Fort Wayne, Oakland, and Saginaw Valley State, outscoring their opponents 11-2. The Broncos enter 2026 as the Mid-American Conference preseason favorite following three consecutive MAP regular-season championships, only losing one MAC match since 2023. 

Despite the recent success, Western Michigan enters the year with a young roster featuring 16 newcomers. Although they may be young, the 2026 signing class for the Broncos has proven effective thus far in the season, with two Freshmen, Reese Lynn and Irelyn Sheldon, each scoring two goals.  

Tuesday's match up presents Idaho with an early test against a program that has established itself among the MAC's greatest in recent seasons. For the Vandals, it also provides an opportunity to continue their explosive start against an unfamiliar opponent before facing Hawai'i later in the week.  

Kickoff between Idaho and Western Michigan is set for 4 PM HT / 7 PM PT in Honolulu. 

UP NEXT  

The Vandals take on Hawai'i on Saturday at 5 PM (2 PM HT) before returning home to host CSU Bakersfield to close out the month of August. 

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