Winter Wirkkala scores on the penalty kick Eagles Down Yotes on Penalty Kick 10/28/2017 1:00:31 AM KIRKLAND, Wash. – A penalty kick by Winter Wirkkala in the 85th minute of play was the deciding goal in Northwest University’s 2-1 victory over the College of Idaho this afternoon on a sunny and warm fall day. With the win, the Eagles clinched a spot in the 2017 Cascade Collegiate Conference Championships in Springfield, Oregon, which begin on November 3. Kaley Woods wasted no time in giving the Yotes a 1-0 lead as she one touched the ball in for a goal just 1:04 into the game. Katelyn Benavidez fed Woods with a perfect pass from the left side as Woods finished for the score. The College of Idaho came very close to taking the lead in the 76th minute when Emily Aspden’s shot from 7 yards out hit the post denying her a score. It would take Northwest U 53 minutes to find the back of the net when Rylee Rassier took Hannah Nicholson’s pass from the left side scoring from 6 yards out. The teams battled back and forth until the 85th minute when an Rassier was brought down in the box setting up the penalty kick by Winter Wirkkala. Wirkkala rolled her shot into the lower left corner for what proved to be the game winner. Northwest U’s (9-7, 6-4 CCC) offense was held at bay by the Yotes defense as NU outshot the visitors 22-11. Rylee Rassier led NU with 4 shots, 3 shots on goal and the one goal. Kat Sanchez earned the win in goal making 3 saves for the contest. NU held a 6-1 edge in corner kicks. Hailey Woods led the College of Idaho (6-8-1, 4-5-1 CCC) with her 3 shots, two on goal and the score. Brittany Houghton had a big day in goal for C of I making 10 saves, 7 in the first half. “I’m proud of the way the ladies played today, and kept pressing to score while committing themselves to playing good team defense,” said Bryan Chud, NU head coach. “Going down 1-0 in the first half was disappointing, but we responded well in the second half and deserved the win. Rylee scored a great goal and Winter showed why she is she is such a great captain. We’re also excited to be going to Springfield next week to play in the conference tournament. It’s a well-earned reward for the team and their hard work.”