A Promising Opening
Idaho opened the 2026 campaign at home against CSUN and walked away with a 1-0 victory that marks their first 2-0 start since 2021.
Makenna Stuart broke the deadlock in the 25th minute, finishing a move set up by Payton Oelkers, who also recorded her first goal of the season. The goal gave the Vandals a slender lead that they would protect for the remainder of the match.
Idaho controlled the tempo, outshot CSUN 17-8 and generated 13 shots on goal while the visitors managed only two. The Vandals also held a 7-2 edge in corner kicks, underscoring their dominance in set‑piece opportunities.
The defensive unit limited CSUN to just two shots on target in the second half, forcing eight saves from goalkeeper Hayden Mauldin. Idaho’s backline kept a clean sheet, extending the team’s early shutout streak.
The win follows a 3-0 road triumph at Washington State and a 4-0 aggregate margin over the past two matches, highlighting a strong start to the season for the Vandals.
Looking Ahead
Idaho’s schedule continues with a clash against Western Michigan on August 18 and a subsequent matchup with Hawaii on August 22, games that will test the early momentum built in Moscow.