Idaho gave the Montana soccer team its first loss of the season Sunday afternoon, 3-2, in the final game of the Governor's Cup at Moscow, Idaho. The Grizzlies fought back from 1-0 and 2-1 deficits, but the Vandals scored in the 78th minute, and it held up as the game-winner.

Montana dropped to 3-1-0 on the season, while Idaho improved to 2-2-2. In Sunday's opening match, Boise State defeated Idaho State, 2-0.

The Vandals opened the scoring early when Bailey Hewitt headed in Lauren Layton's corner kick just 3:17 into the match.

Idaho took five early shots before Montana was able to create its first chance, but junior Erin Craig capitalized on the opportunity when she took a lead pass from sophomore India Watne, got behind the Idaho defense and beat UI keeper Marissa Fehrman for her fifth goal of the season at 10:38.

Idaho's Chelsea Small scored her fourth goal of the season and Idaho-record 25th of her career at 23:55 when she headed a crossing pass off the cross bar, then put back her own rebound to make it 2-1.

Montana would play a goal down for the next 40-plus minutes until the Watne-to-Craig connection struck again. Watne's pass from the left side of the six-yard box found Craig at the far post at 65:42.

Craig scored all four of Montana's goals on the weekend - which opened with a 2-1 double-overtime victory over Boise State Friday afternoon - with three of the assists coming from Watne.

"It's certainly not something we script out," UM coach Mark Plakorus said. "Erin just works so hard and is starting to understand where she needs to be and when she needs to be there, and India has been playing some good balls."

The score remained tied until Megan Lopez scored her first goal of the season at 77:35, heading in a crossing pass off the right post.

Montana created a corner kick and took six shots in the final 11 minutes - two coming from Watne and two from freshman Allie Simon - but the Grizzlies couldn't find their third equalizer of the day.

"Anytime you're chasing the game as early as we did, it's going to be difficult because you're always one step behind," Plakorus said.

"But we fought hard. Coming back twice in one game is very difficult, and we had some great opportunities to tie it a third time."

Craig and Watne were both named to the Governor's Cup All-Tournament Team, as was junior Lauren Costa, who played 90 minutes Sunday after playing all 106:55 Friday.

"Lauren was good throughout the entire weekend. Over both games she was very steady," Plakorus said.

"She really controls the back for us, and she always remains very composed."

As they did Friday, sophomore Kendra McMillen and junior Kristen Hoon split time at keeper, with McMillen playing the first half, Hoon the second.

McMillen finished with one save, Hoon with three.

Idaho out-shot Montana 21 to 17, but both teams put seven of their shots on goal. Both teams created five corner kicks.

Montana will play its first home matches of the season next weekend when the Grizzlies host North Dakota State and Utah Valley. Montana will face the Bison Friday at 5 p.m. and the Wolverines Sunday at 1 p.m. at South Campus Stadium.

As part of the same weekend, Utah Valley and Idaho will play Friday at 2:30 p.m., and the Vandals will meet the Bison Sunday at 10:30 a.m.

---

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU

Men's NCAA Tournament First Round Recap

Vanderbilt Shocks No. 1 Florida State

Men's NCAA Tournament Round Two Preview