CALDWELL, Idaho - The College of Idaho survived a late flurry by Oregon Tech in the final 10 minutes, as the Coyotes outlasted the Owls, 2-1, in a Cascade Conference men’s soccer contest at Simplot Stadium.
The Coyotes (5-6, 4-3 CCC) won for the third-straight time – thanks to a 25-14 edge in total shots.
The C of I dominated the first 45 minutes, taking 18 shots in the frame – grabbing a 1-0 lead in the 22nd minute, as Carlos Gomez trapped a ball off one of the Yotes 11 corner kicks, made a quick dribble and move, rocketing the ball into the upper right corner of the net. The hosts had a pair of flurries to add to the lead – one in the 29th minute, and a four-shot barrage in the 31st minute, but the Owls (4-7, 2-5) blocked each shot.
In the second half, the Yotes added to their lead in the 51st minute, as Parker Waddell won a ball at midfield, made a run up the center of the pitch, lacing a low 20-yard drive to the right corner of the net.
OIT would not quit, taking control of the play in the final 20 minutes – finally scoring a goal late in the 84th minute, as Hector Jimenez trickled a shot just across the goal line on a rebound of an Antonio Jaimes shot, to make it a 2-1 game. Tech nearly tied it in the final 20 seconds, earning a free kick from 25-yards out, but a header by Jimmy Merkley off a Victor Corona free kick, missed just left to close out the match.
The two teams combined for 19 corner kicks and 22 fouls in the contest – as Aaron Reynolds turned away five OIT shots on goal to pick up the win.
The C of I returns to action next weekend with road matches at Evergreen State and Northwest.