GRAND FORKS, N.D. – The University of North Dakota challenged the University of Idaho for 90 minutes in the Fighting Hawks season-opener at Bronson Field, peppering the Vandals with four shots on frame. However, the Idaho defense clammed up and held shape to down UND, 1-0.

The Vandals lone goal found the back of the net in the sixth minute as Maddie Haas found a loose ball that ricocheted off several UND and Idaho players inside the 18-yard box and fired into the side-netting on the far post to give UI the early lead.

The lead was not comfortable for Idaho, though, despite playing the opening half with the wind at its back. The forward-minded Hawks pressed their way to 65-percent possession, spending almost two-thirds of the half on their attacking end trying to unlock the Vandals defense.

Lauren Glas placed the Fighting Hawks' first shot on frame in the 37th minute, setting the tone for North Dakota at the end of the half and in the first 20 minutes of the second.

Thanks to its pressing, North Dakota would spend almost half of their possession time in the final attacking third. The high-lines set up a Bailey McNitt shot on target two minutes into the half and a pair of shots by Allison Tschetter and Allison Rapaduski in the 60th and the 62nd minutes.

Though North Dakota did not put another shot on frame, UND took its crack at goal, but the Vandals defenders put their bodies on the line to block the shots while Avrie Fox did not hesitate to step off her line to punch balls away or attack balls at the feet of Fighting Hawk attackers.

In the embers of the match, Fox charged UND forward Hannah Olson, who broke through two Idaho defenders in the 86th minute. Seemingly one and one with the keeper, Olson took a final flick with her toe to set the ball at the top of the goal box, but Fox smothered the attack and sent Olson rolling and flying over her to end the threat. Fox even warded off a final sprint by Yapello on a loose ball in the 89th minute to seal the match.

All told, North Dakota finished with seven corner kicks and successfully defended two. Defenders Mary Gasaway, Taylor Lange, and JoJo Prisock only allowed Idaho to one shot on frame while remaining a constant threat on the attack up the wings.

UND will return to action next weekend when it heads to Louisiana to take on Southern (Aug. 28) and Nichols State (Aug. 30).