Drew Smith scored three goals in Yotes win
CALDWELL, Idaho - Drew Smith came off the bench to record a hat trick, as The College of Idaho men’s soccer team opened up Cascade Conference play with a convincing 4-1 victory over Northwest University at Simplot Stadium.
Despite having just nine shots on the warm afternoon, the Coyotes (2-2, 1-0 CCC) made the most of their opportunities, taking a quick 1-0 lead in the 15th minute, as Brad Byers took a long ball and touched the sphere to Luis Gomez, who found Brian Buckingham at the top of the 18, who blasted the ball into the left corner of the net.
Smith would make it 2-0 in the 32nd minute, taking a Buckingham pass at the top of the 18, and rolling a left-footed shot into the right corner of the net.
The Eagles (3-2, 0-1) would take advantage of a Coyote miscue in the 37th minute to get within a goal, as Luke Fischer played a ball atop the goal mouth for James Kerr, but a C of I defender trying to clear the ball knocked it in the goal to make it 2-1.
The Coyotes would respond three minutes later, as Zach Veasy played a free kick from the center line into the box, finding the head of Smith, who knocked it over keeper Brian Swanson’s reach for a 3-1 lead. Smith would complete the scoring in the 78th minute, taking a cross in the box from Matt Kelly and flicking home the tally.
The C of I had a 9-7 edge in shots, as keeper Aaron Reynolds made five saves to notch the win.
Tomorrow, the Yotes host Evergreen State at 5 p.m. to close out the weekend set.