FRESNO, Calif. – The University of Idaho women’s soccer team put seven shots on goal and played an aggressive first half, but couldn’t snap the net in a 1-0 loss at Fresno State on Friday night to open Western Athletic Conference play.

After the two teams were tied with six on-target shots apiece at the half, Fresno State (6-3-3, 1-0-0 WAC) came out and kept up the pressure in the second and outshot Idaho, 7-1 in shots on goal. Idaho (4-7-2, 0-1-0 WAC) had 12 total shots, seven on-goal attempts and three corners, but wasn’t able to break the final barrier.

Fresno State’s Tara Boynton put in the match’s only goal with a rebound shot at the 57:34 mark. Idaho junior goalkeeper Caroline Towles made a diving save on a shot by the Bulldogs’ Morgan Castain, but the ball hit the crossbar and rolled to Boynton.

“We matched them and played with some great possession,” Idaho head coach Pete Showler said. “Caroline pulled off a great save and they nipped it in and snuck a win.”

Towles made a career-high 12 saves and junior forward Chelsea Small led Idaho with three shots, all on goal. Five total Vandals had on-target shots in the match, and Showler said the team created plenty of scoring opportunities, but just didn’t finish.

“We’re creating chance after chance, but we’re just not finishing,” Showler said of the Vandal offense.

The loss ended Idaho’s hopes of winning its third-consecutive WAC opener, but Showler said he’s confident in his team’s ability to bounce back when the team plays at San Jose State on Sunday.

The match at SJSU kicks off at 1 p.m. (PDT). The Spartans enter the match at 1-9-0 overall. The match will be SJSU’s conference opener for the season.