MOSCOW, Idaho – The spring season is generally a time for growth and development for the Idaho soccer team and this year was no different. The Vandals performed well throughout the training season and continue to improve ahead of what is sure to be an exciting 2016 campaign.
“I thought it was a good spring. The focus that we had at the beginning was in regard to making ourselves better physically through the weight room and our fitness standards and I think we did well there,” said head coach Derek Pittman. “Then after spring break, to be able to roll the balls back out and get a little bit more focused on our tactics and our technical development was a good strategy for us. I think it worked really well for the overall development of our group.”
Idaho played well in its handful of matches, conceding just three goals over six games. The Vandals also competed well in the annual Gonzaga 7v7 Tournament, with the Silver Team advancing all the way to the final.
The results were not the main focus for Pittman, however. The third-year head coach wasn't exclusively looking for wins, but rather team development and growth within the system.
“The key for us always starts with the defense," Pittman said. “Every game we need to be as organized and intense as we possibly can be on defense. Obviously if we can keep a shutout we're going to give ourselves a chance to win the game. Everything starts with our defensive passion and organization.”
Along with the incredible numbers put up by the defense in 2015, the squad also broke long-standing offensive records, recording the most goals, assists and points in program history.
“I think some of the aims that we had in regard to improving our attack were good and bad,” said Pittman. “I think we could've developed a little bit better there, with some of the patterns and different ways that we want to break down teams, but that's just going to come with time. There were moments and spurts of really, really good soccer.
“We hope that fans will see the level of variety that maybe we haven't had in the past. We can still go long and outrun teams if they give us the opportunity to get behind them and cause problems, but we also want to make sure that we have the ability to keep the possession if it's the right time.”
But fear not, Vandal fans, next year's team will still bring the same tough, hard-working mentality that made them successful in 2015.
“We're always going to have a physical presence, with our 50-50 battles, with our tackles, our ability in the air and finally with the set pieces,” said Pittman. “We scored a lot of goals this spring on set pieces. We expect that to very much be at the core of what we do. Having the weapons that we have, not only in serving a quality ball but being able to finish, always makes us dangerous, especially when we're shutting teams out.”
A handful of players stood out to Pittman, after showing significant improvement during the spring season.
“Kavita Battan had a really good end of the spring,” Pittman said. “She struggled toward the beginning due to an injury that she sustained in the fall but I thought she came along really well when she started getting her stride, scoring a few goals in the last few games.
“I thought one individual that is really rising up is Elexis Schlossarek. She's somebody that has always been a very good leader for us, but is really developing into a very mature, savvy player on both sides of the ball. I thought that Megan Goo had a great spring too. She really stepped up in her role as an attacking midfielder. She provides us great creativity and a level of craftiness on the ball. She has great vision, quick feet and good passing skills on the ball. I think she's going to be a big key for us in the fall.”
The Vandals now take a short break heading into the summer.
“It's great that we get to take a nice, healthy break in the month of May,” Pittman said. “We want our players to be successful in the classroom and do well on their upcoming finals and then be able to go home to spend time with their families. They'll begin their summer packets in June then be back for summer school in July with the incoming freshmen. That's when things get rolling for us.
“Our strength coach, Miles, is really excited about working with them this summer and taking what we've developed this spring and continuing it on to next season. August 3rd will be here before we know it and we're really excited about the opportunity to go out and put together another great season and prove that what we do well can put us in a position to win another championship.”
Camp opens on August 3rd, with the regular season set to begin just two weeks later. Check back with GoVandals.com throughout the summer for updates and news.
Fans can stay up-to-date on all things Idaho soccer by following the team on Twitter and Instagram, @VandalsSoccer, or on Facebook by searching Idaho Vandals Women's Soccer.
For more information on Idaho Athletics, visit GoVandals.com. Fans can also find Idaho on Twitter and Instagram, @Idaho_Vandals, or on Facebook by searching Idaho Vandals.
