Oct. 8, 2010

Box Score

MOSCOW, Idaho - Two goals by Idaho's Chelsea Small was all that was needed by the Vandals as they defeated Louisiana Tech 2-0 on Friday in Moscow, Idaho.

"We put ourselves in a hole from the very first minute and didn't have the energy to climb out of it," Tech head coach Kevin Sherry said.

With the loss, Louisiana Tech fell to 11-4 overall and 1-2 in the Western Athletic Conference while Idaho improved to 11-3 (2-0, WAC).

Small, the most dangerous player on the Vandal roster, scored two goals to tie her with Tech's Rachel King for the most goals in the Western Athletic Conference with 11. Her first goal came in the game's first minute of play.

"The first goal highlighted the whole game," Sherry said. "We had the center kick and played it back lazily, giving it away. Small went past our two standing defenders and shoots on target. Our strikers need to learn from her."

Small took 10 of Idaho's 13 shots and six of its eight shots-on-goal. Tech also took 13 shots, but just one on goal (King).

The long trip to Moscow combined with the cool temperatures, didn't help Tech's cause for a win, but wasn't an excuse.

"No excuses, but every player was lethargic and heavy legged," Sherry said. "The travel just killed them. No matter who went in, we just had nothing."

Unlike their previous game in which Tech subbed just twice at the very end of a 3-1 win over Utah State, the Lady Techsters' substituted early and often. Seven Tech players entered the contest off the bench compared to just two for the Vandals.

Freshman Caitlin Updyke started as the Tech goalkeeper, allowing both goals and recording five saves, but was lifted for junior Cat Buchanan, who played the final 19 minutes of the game.

Tech will next be in action on Sunday as they face last year's WAC Tournament Champions Boise State at 2 p.m. in Boise, Idaho.