After suffering a loss to Grand Canyon University on Thursday, Sept. 11, the Idaho Vandals traveled to Bakersfield, California, to face the red-hot California State University, Bakersfield Roadrunners. The teams fought tooth and nail for 90 minutes before settling for a 0-0 draw, giving Idaho their fifth shutout in nine games this season. 

The star of the show was the Vandal backline, anchored by redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Paula Flores, who alongside the backline was brilliant throughout the match. Despite facing 11 shots, Flores and the backline held firm and kept the Roadrunners at bay. 

History played a significant role in this matchup, with several Vandal players hailing from California and familiar faces on both sidelines. First-year Roadrunners head coach Whitney Pitalo joined CSUB in the spring after serving as an assistant coach at Gonzaga University in 2023. 

That Gonzaga connection proved meaningful as the Bulldogs faced Idaho in the first round of the 2023 NCAA tournament after the Vandals captured their first-ever Big Sky championship. Flores remains one of the few players from that historic championship team still on the roster. 

A California native herself, Flores arrived at Idaho in fall 2023 and witnessed former Vandal Kira Witte lead the team to that breakthrough Big Sky title and NCAA tournament appearance. 

Last season marked Flores’ first year as a starter, where she posted a 12-5-3 record with eight shutouts while helping the Vandals reach another Big Sky championship game. With all four backline starters gone this year, along with formation changes and an entirely new defensive group, Flores has embraced a more vocal leadership role. 

“I’ve gained that leadership role in the backline as like I was used to the sixth years or fifth years talking for me,” Flores said after their shutout victory over University of Texas, El Paso. “I gained more of a voice this year that’s been my biggest role.” 

Redshirt sophomore midfielder Leslie Duarte takes on South Dakota defender | Colton Moore | Argonaut

The starting backline consisting of freshman Miranda Goldner, junior Izzy Thoma and fellow California native sophomore Bella Gissendanner has already achieved more than half of Flores’ goal of nine shutouts this season. They faced an aggressive test against the Roadrunners, who started the year 0-4 but had rattled off three straight wins, scoring 11 goals in that winning streak. 

The Vandals answered the call defensively. In the first half, Idaho controlled play and created several quality scoring chances but couldn’t find the finishing touch, leaving the game scoreless at halftime. 

The Roadrunners’ electric offense came alive in the second half, putting sustained pressure on the Vandal defense. From that point forward, it became a battle to preserve the clean sheet. 

The back three won most of their individual duels and made the Roadrunners work for every opportunity, both on and off the ball. They kept quality chances away from Flores for most of the match. When CSUB did break through the defense, Flores responded with three crucial saves to keep her team in the game. 

The Vandals’ offense, which had been quiet in the first half of the season with only six goals scored, remained silent once again. Idaho struggled to string together consistent possession, passing or quality of chances and was shut out for the second consecutive game. 

The Vandals will welcome the defending Mountain West champions and in-state rival Boise State University Broncos to the P1FCU Kibbie Dome this Thursday, Sept. 18, at 7 p.m. They’ll look to return to the win column and build momentum heading into conference play. 

Jayden Barfuss can be reached at [email protected].