by RENO, Nev. – The Nevada soccer team won its season opener by defeating the University of Idaho 1-0 on Friday night at the Moana Springs Sports Complex. The Wolf Pack got its revenge after falling to the Vandals on the road last season, and now holds a 6-5 all-time record against the school.
This was the program’s first season-opening win since 2012, when Nevada knocked off Hawai’i 2-0 at home.
Freshman Payton Lieb (Otoe/Ponca) broke the 86-minute deadlock when she capitalized on a penalty shot late in the contest. Fellow freshman Kendal Stovall got the start at goalkeeper and shut out the Vandals with four saves.
“It’s my job to do it,” Lieb said regarding her taking the penalty. “I know I have to do it. I just have to mentally prepare myself and tell myself that I have to do this for my team.”
The first half featured only a few shots, as the Pack only recorded five in the first half. Nevada picked it up in the second half with nine to give it 14 on the afternoon. The Pack was awarded five corners to Idaho’s two.
The defense played a large role in the Pack’s shutout performance, particularly Bryanna Wiehe. With about 15 minutes to play, the senior slid in front of her goal to save Idaho from taking a late lead.
“Coach (Parrissa) always says on the defense you have to be pessimistic, so I immediately just ran back to the goal just in case because you never know,” said Wiehe. “I was just there and used my long legs and did what I could to save the goal.”
Not long after, Lieb waited in the box and be dragged down by an Idaho defender to award her the penalty kick. With the goalkeeper playing to her left, the freshman smartly skipped the ball to the opposite side of the net to record the Pack’s first goal of the season.
