EUGENE, Ore. – A costly foul by an NCU player in the second half led to a College of Idaho penalty kick and the Yotes hung on for a 1-0 victory on Saturday afternoon in Cascade Collegiate Conference men’s soccer action.
The combatants were locked in a defensive battle over the first 45 minutes with each team getting just three shots off. NCU held The College of Idaho without a shot-on-goal the entire first half.
Things opened up a bit more in the second half, especially for the Coyotes, and the continual penetration of the Beacon back line led to the game-winning play. A C of I player drove into the right side of the box and was heading toward a wide open shot when he was clipped from behind, setting up the PK opportunity. Mehmed Selimovic (pictured) took advantage, drilling the attempt down the middle of the net.
The College of Idaho (6-3, 5-3 CCC) ended the game with a 14-7 advantage in shots as Grant Billings needed to make a trio of saves to secure the shutout.
John Castro made four saves for the Beacons (1-10-1, 0-7) allowing just the PK.
NCU returns to action next Friday night, playing host to Multnomah College at 4:30 pm. CI returns to Caldwell and will host Warner Pacific on Friday at 1 p.m.