Vandal goalkeeper Paula Flores extends her school-record shutout total to 25 in draw
· Yahoo Sports
Oct. 23—MOSCOW — In her four-year women's soccer career, not many teams have managed to get the ball past Idaho goalkeeper Paula Flores.
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That trend continued Thursday in a 0-0 draw between the Vandals and Utah Tech Trailblazers when Flores extended her school record for shutouts to 25 in the Big Sky Conference clash at the P1FCU Kibbie Dome.
"I think just two good teams going at it," Idaho coach Jeremy Clevenger said. "We worked hard, they worked hard. I thought we executed the game plan really well. We just got to take our chances a little bit better in quality, and then I think we'll be OK."
A clean sheet and extending Flores' record
Idaho (7-3-5, 1-1-3 Big Sky) outshot Utah Tech 11-7 and held the Trailblazers (7-6-3, 3-2-2) to just two shots in the second half.
Flores had three saves in helping keep the Vandals in the contest in front of nearly 1,000 home fans.
"Wild, wild," Clevenger said about the senior's record. "I mean the team is awesome, and they don't give up a lot of shots and opportunities. Another shutout for her and for the team, and so credit to them and what they're doing back there."
Clevenger also gave credit to his back line that included four different defenders — freshman Mirabella Bickham, junior Bella Gissendanner, senior Izzy Thoma and sophomore Miranda Goldner.
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He said that they all played a "really solid game."
The Vandals prepared for a different system than Utah Tech came out in, preparing for a 4-3-3 rather than a 3-4-3, which the Trailblazers used. Clevenger said he was proud that his team adjusted well and kept fighting and battling.
The game was physical from both sides, with players often going down.
The lone yellow card came on Utah Tech junior midfielder Lexi Nelson when she bumped into Flores on an attempted shot in the 90th minute. Flores stayed on the ground for a couple of minutes and was checked on by the medical staff but stayed in the game for the final three seconds of the match.
"I mean that's part of that — Big Sky soccer is like that," Clevenger said. "It's conference opponents, and anytime you get into that conference realm, it's physical, it's hard-nosed, and you gotta be ready for it."
Going scoreless
Idaho put some pressure on the Utah Tech defense and the Trailblazers' sophomore goalie Emma McIff in the first half, recording seven shots.
Senior midfielder Sara Rodgers had the Vandals' first shot on goal in the seventh minute, but McIff had a diving attempt to save the shot.
Clevenger said that those first 10 minutes were Idaho's best chance at scoring a goal.
"I think the first 5-10 minutes we were all over them and had crosses and boxes," Clevenger said. "We also had a header. We had one in there, so yeah, I think we had some opportunities that we could have capitalized (on) for sure, and especially in those first 5-10 minutes."
The coach said that Idaho had plenty of opportunities and that capitalizing on those moments will be something that the Vandals will have to do a better job on moving forward.
Rodgers and sophomore Mia Boltz each finished with three shots and one on goal. Thoma had the other Vandal shot on goal.
Idaho knew it was going to be a tough game because it knew that Utah Tech is a tough team. Clevenger said that the Vandals have "a lot of respect" for the Trailblazers.
"We know they're a quality side, so I thought overall we played really well and created a lot of chances," Clevenger said. "I think just a little disappointed we weren't able to capitalize on our chances, but for the most part, we dominated the game.
"Like any good team, Utah Tech's going to have a couple of runs in there, but I think we limited those runs. We controlled the pace. Just a little unfortunate enough for us to not get a goal."
What's next?
Looking forward to the rest of the season, Idaho has four more Big Sky Conference matches, with one at home and the other three on the road.
The Vandals will continue Big Sky play on Sunday as they celebrate nine seniors on the roster for senior night against Southern Utah in the P1FCU Kibbie Dome.
Clevenger kept it short and sweet when talking about what to do next.
"I think (we have) four more games left, so we just got to continue pushing," he said.
Utah Tech 0 0—0
Idaho 0 0—0
Shots — Utah Tech 7; Idaho 11. Saves — Utah Tech: Emma McIff 3; Idaho: Paula Flores 3.
Junt can be reached at 208-848-2258, [email protected] or on X @TrevorJunt.