CALDWELL, Idaho - Mats Boehnke flicked home the lone goal of the game in the eighth minute and The College of Idaho defense withstood numerous second half chances by Whitman College, as the Coyotes ended a seven-match losing streak with a 1-0 victory this afternoon at Simplot Stadium.
The win for the Yotes (1-2) helped the side avoid setting a new record for consecutive losses – as The C of I won for the first time since Oct. 23 of last season and won for the first time at home since topping Northwest, 3-0, on Sept. 26, 2009.
The Coyotes came out on the attack, recording seven shots in the first 15 minutes of the game – including the game-winner by Boehnke. Spencer Ward cleared a ball from the Whitman zone nearly the length of the field, with Boehnke getting to the ball before Missionaries (1-3-1) keeper Tim Shu, flicking the ball past the goalie for the 1-0 lead.
Whitman nearly tied it in the 28th minute, as Riley Hernandez took a cross in the middle and headed the ball past C of I keeper Aaron Reynolds, but the shot rose over the crossbar. They would score a goal in the 52nd minute, as Leland Matthaeus flicked home a tally, but it was negated due to an offsides call. Three minutes later, the Whits got a 2-on-1 breakaway, with Matthaeus launching a left-footed shot just right of the far post. In the 80th minute, the Missionaries played a great cross to Connor Bottomly, but his shot missed just left.
The Yotes nearly made it 2-0 with four minutes left, as Brian Buckingham rocketed a 25-yard free kick just over the crossbar.
The C of I had a 17-13 edge in shots, including a 9-3 edge in shots on goal. Aaron Reynolds picked up the shutout for the Yotes, while Shu recorded eight saves in the loss for Whitman.
Next Friday, the Coyotes open their 14-game Cascade Conference schedule with a 4 p.m. meeting with Northwest University.