Idaho Vandals' Postseason Run Ends in Heartbreaking Big Sky Shootout

MISSOULA, Mont. — Idaho's women's soccer team saw its 2025 postseason dreams dashed Friday in a 3-1 penalty shootout loss to No. 1 Montana after a gripping 2-2 draw through regulation and overtime at South Campus Stadium.[1][5] The Vandals, finishing the season 6-5-9, punched their semifinal ticket by rallying past Portland State 2-1 earlier in the week, with goals from Jadyn Hanks and Sara Rodgers in the 72nd and 77th minutes.[4] But against the Grizzlies, it was senior forward Sara Rodgers who stole the show, scoring both Idaho goals including a 90th-minute equalizer that silenced the home crowd and forced extras.[1] Rodgers' brace highlighted a gritty performance from the Moscow-based Vandals, who outshot Montana 16-11 and earned eight corners to the hosts' two.[5] Montana goalkeeper Ashlyn Dvorak, the 2025 Big Sky Goalkeeper of the Year, denied two Idaho shooters in the shootout, while Reagan Brisendine, Maddie Ditta and Eliza Bentler converted for the 12-3-3 Grizzlies.[1][5] The loss caps a resilient campaign for coach Derek Johnson amid the rugged Idaho Panhandle backdrop, where the Vandals train at the Kibbie Dome turf before road battles.[1] Idaho's tournament showing builds on recent Big Sky success, including their first-ever conference title in 2023 against Northern Arizona (2-1), earning an NCAA bid with standouts like MVP Rebekah Reyes and Naomi Alvarez.[2] They reached the 2024 final but fell to Sacramento State in penalties (7-6 after 0-0).[3] With regular-season crowns in 2015 and 2016, the Vandals remain a Palouse powerhouse, setting sights on 2026 redemption.[2][7]