MOSCOW, Idaho—The friendly confines of Guy Wicks Field did not bring the positive results that the University of Idaho soccer team had hoped for Friday afternoon. In arguably their best showing of the season the Vandals fell to the Roadrunners of CSU Bakersfield, 1-0.

“It was our best whole game of the season,” head coach Pete Showler exclaimed following Friday’s defeat. “It is a cruel game sometimes. I think we played very, very well the whole game and to come away with nothing is hard. It is cruel.”

CSUB (4-10-1, 3-4-1 got an early boost, scoring in the sixth minute of the game. Idaho was called for a foul just outside the top of Vandal goal box. Erica Shelton put the ball past Idaho keeper Marina Siegl for her fourth goal of the season.

Offensively Idaho found a bit of a rhythm that had been missing in its previous two contests. The Vandals entered the second half looking to erase the ‘Runners slight lead. The second half provided numerous scoring chances for Idaho, but Bakersfield’s defense and keeper, Tori Ornela, were able to keep the slate clean.

Offensive chances came in pairs of the Vandals. In the 66th minute freshman defender Madison Moore put on shot on target and freshman Kavita Battan was in position to play it back on goal in the same possession. Three minutes later in the 69th minute junior Katie Baran launched a shot that was deflected back to Chelsie Breen by Ornela. A Roadrunner defender got between Breen’s follow-up shot and the wide-open net, blocking the shot and sending it clear of the net.

With the clock continuing to work against the Vandals, Baran continued to lead the offensive charge. In the 77th minute Baran set up for a corner kick. She played the ball short and got the ball right back, playing in to Ornela who made the initial save. Baran found the rebound and fired her second-chance shot wide.

With nine minutes to play sophomore JP Burgess was inches from tying up the game. Burgess launched a shot that sailed was over the Ornela’s fingertips and clanked off the crossbar.

“We have to finish our chances,” Showler stated. “We created them, we just have to finish them. As an overall performance I’m very proud of how the girls played today.”

Idaho (3-11-0, 3-4-0 WAC) had four shots on goal in the first half from four different players. Going into halftime the Vandals held an 8-6 advantage in shots over the Roadrunners. In all 10 different Vandals recorded shots, making it the highest total of the season.

The Vandals return to action on Sunday, Oct. 20 at Guy Wicks Filed. WAC, Utah Valley will make their first conference trip to Guy Wicks Field. Sunday the Vandals will be in pink for their annual Kick Cancer game. The game jerseys will be auctioned off throughout the game, benefiting the Light a Candle Foundation.

Notes: Siegl played her second complete game of the season…senior defender Mary Condon got her first start of the season…Baran totaled five shots on the day, and three on goal both being the most by a Vandal this season…the nine saves by Ornela were the most an opposing keeper has had to make this season…CSUB was limited to only three corner kicks, tied for the lowest this season (Sept. 27 vs NMSU).

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