Matt Kelly scored a goal in his fourth-straight match, helping C of I to a win
CALDWELL, Idaho - Three first half goals were the difference for The College of Idaho, as the Coyotes won their third straight decision, a 3-1 victory over Northwest Christian, in a Cascade Conference men’s soccer match-up at Simplot Stadium.
The Coyotes (7-7, 6-4 CCC) nearly got on the board in the third minute, as off a corner kick, Spencer Ward got a clean look from inside the six-yard box, but his header missed just high. Five minutes later, Matt Kelly clanged a drive from ten yards off the cross bar – but didn’t miss ten minutes later, flicking home a long pass from Ward, touching the ball past keeper Nick Kratzke, for a 1-0 lead.
In the 26th minute, the Yotes made it 2-0, as off a set piece, Carlos Gomez headed a ball home at the far post off a great free kick from Zach Veasy. The C of I would push the lead to 3-0 in the 36th minute, as Brian Buckingham was fouled in the box – with the senior knocking home the ensuing penalty kick.
The Beacons (6-8, 3-7) pushed the tempo the final eight minutes of the period, nearly scoring in the 39th minute when a ball headed back by the Coyote defense eluded keeper Aaron Reynolds, with the netminder having to make a diving save of the ball off the goal line. NCU would get on the board in the 42nd minute, as Jun Yoon rammed a shot just outside the box into the upper left corner of the net.
After the Coyotes held a 16-3 edge in shots in the opening half, the second half was much calmer – with neither team having many opportunities. The Yotes had a chance in the 58th minute, as Buckingham had a sitter at the far post after a cross, but missed it wide, while Kelly was turned away in the 73rd minute by a one-handed save from Kratzke. The Beacons had a final try in the final minute, but an Aaron Dilla shot was punched away by Reynolds.
The Yotes held a 19-7 edge in total shots, along with a 7-2 edge in corner kicks. Kratzke led the way with five saves for NCU, while Reynolds faced just two shots on goal.
The C of I returns to action tomorrow afternoon, hosting Oregon Tech at 2 p.m.