CHENEY, Wash. – The Eastern Washington University soccer team fell short to Idaho today (April 2) at the EWU Soccer Field to a 2-0 deficit. The 2-0 loss hands EWU its first Big Sky Conference clean sheet defeat of the 2021 spring season as they sit 3-3-2 overall and 2-1-2 in conference play.

"We created a lot of chances, we just didn't finish inside of the 18-yard box. We haven't been sharp inside the box in the last three games and its cost us," said head coach Chad Bodnar. "When you outshoot a team 15-to-9 and you don't get anything out of it - it's just the way the game is. I think they only had two or three good looks in front of goal, but they scored twice. We have to get better, we just don't have a lot of time to get better. We have to recover and come back on Sunday, get a win, and move on."

Eastern began the match outshooting Idaho 7-2 in the first 25 minutes, including two chances each from Sariah Keister, Maddie Morgan and Grace Terrill, and a header towards goal that sailed high above the crossbar by Colby Wilson from a back-post cross off an Eagle corner kick. EWU goalkeeper Kelsee Winston was tested with one of the two shots taken by Idaho, in which she came up with a crucial diving save to prevent an early goal.  

The last 20 minutes of the first half consisted of two more chances taken by Eastern before Idaho found its first goal. The goal came in the 36^th minute following a mix-up in EWU's own penalty box that resulted in a short five-yard tap-in by Vandal forward Maddy Lasher.

The Eagles made an effort to respond with attempts by Kendall Pope, Keister and Wilson following the goal, but they were unsuccessful and the half ended 1-0 in Idaho's favor.

Following halftime, the Vandals collected a second goal in the 55^th minute from forward Myah Merino. The goal came following another mix-up inside EWU's 18-yard box as the ball was deflected in the direction of the Vandals boot and slotted away.

As the time winded down, the Eagles chased to find an equalizing goal, taking three shots - including one on target – but Idaho mounted their ground, and by the final whistle, the match ended in a 2-0 deficit for the Eagles.

WIN-LOSS RECORDS: EWU moves to 3-3-2 overall and 2-1-2 in league play while Idaho moves to 5-4 overall and 5-2 in the conference.

Additionally, Eastern now has an all-time series record of 12-14-1 against Idaho and hold an 8-4 all-time series home record against the Vandals.

TOP PERFORMANCES: Eastern saw four individual players take at least two shots towards goal with three of them firing on target just once in Sariah Keister (4), Grace Terrill (2) and Maddie Morgan (3).

Additionally, Colby Wilson had three heading attempts on goal.

Kelsee Winston made two total saves, both of which came in crucial moments of the match.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE: Eastern Washington out-shot Idaho 15-9, both landing four on target.

The Eagles forced the Vandals to make three saves opposed to EWU's two, and Eastern did not concede a single corner kick to Idaho while taking nine of its own.

UP NEXT:  Eastern receives one day to rest in preparation to host its second match against conference foe Idaho on April 4 at 12 p.m. PT at the EWU Soccer Field in Cheney, Wash. The match will mark EWU's last home game for the 2021 spring season.

Fans can catch the live stats HERE and can follow the game live on Pluto TV Ch. 1053.