Early Goal Lifts C of I into First-Ever CCC Title Match
CALDWELL, Idaho - Mandy Greif found the net just 31 seconds into the match and The College of Idaho defense made it hold up, as the Lady Yotes advanced to their first-ever Cascade Conference Tournament championship game with a 1-0 victory over Southern Oregon at Vallivue High.
With the semifinal win, the Coyotes (12-5-2) advance to meet No. 4 ranked Concordia next Wednesday in Beaverton, Ore., with a berth to the NAIA National Championships on the line.
It didn't take long for the Yotes to put away the game-winner, as Jamie Reichel collected a ball 25-yards out on the right side and crossed the ball to Greif at the top of the 18. The junior turned a laced a shot that caught Raiders (9-11) keeper Jessica Kuehlwien off guard, finding the left corner of the net.
Southern, who dropped their fifth-straight match to the Lady Yotes, had their best chance in the 24th minute as Denise Powell got a ball behind The C of I defense and eluded keeper Sadie Hughes. However, sweeper Colleen Smith cleared the ball of the goal line, and Hughes made a save on a Powell rebound shot.
The Yotes nearly made it 2-0 in the 51st minute, as a shot from the right side by Allie Dufault clanged off the crossbar.
The match was dominated by the Coyotes, holding a 13-7 edge in shots, including a 5-3 edge in shots on goal.
Start time of the title match will be released by Concordia University on Thursday night.