KIRKLAND, Wash. – The College of Idaho scored two first half goals as they shut out Northwest University, 2-0, in Cascade Conference play this afternoon in sunny but cool temperatures.

 

Midfielder Matt Kelly put the College of Idaho (6-7, 5-4 CCC) up 1-0 just 2 minutes and 23 seconds into the game as he scored up the middle from 18 yards out on a double assist from teammates Drew Smith and Carlos Gomez. C of I’s second goal came after Brad Byers stole the ball on the left side of the NU goal and drilled his kick into the lower right corner of the goal for the unassisted goal from 10 yards out (35:58).

 

Northwest (7-6, 4-5 CCC),  had a two scoring opportunities in the second half which could not find their mark. Alex Taylor’s shot hit the crossbar in the 58^th minute and Luke Fischer's shot (70:53) from the right side was saved by C of I goalkeeper, Aaron Reynolds. Reynolds earned the shutout victory with 3 saves on the day.  C of I led in the shot category with 11 shots to NU’s 7.

 

The game helped break a three-way tie for third place between Corban, Northwest and the College of Idaho. C of I’s win puts them into sole possession of third place in the CCC standings with a 5-4 league record and Corban and Northwest’s records dropped to 4-5 and a tie for fourth with Corban’s loss to Northwest Christian and the Eagles falling to the Yotes today.

 

“We have to learn from this loss,” stated NU Head Coach Gary McIntosh following the game. “We started out slow and did not take care of the ball in our own defensive third. Scoring goals this year has been tough for us. With the last five games on the road for us we have made it tough on ourselves. “