CALDWELL, Idaho – A dramatic second-half comeback led the College of Idaho women's soccer team to a 2-1 victory over Westcliff University (Calif.) on Saturday afternoon at Simplot Stadium. With the win, the Yotes (19-0-2) punched their ticket to the NAIA National Championship Final Site in Pensacola, Florida, where they will compete on either December 2nd or 3rd.
Westcliff struck first in the 55th minute when Jysabella Tolentino capitalized on a well-executed assist from Jordyn Gather to give the Warriors a 1-0 lead. But the Yotes, undefeated on the season, refused to be rattled by the setback.
Once Westcliff scored, they transitioned to a five-back formation, shifting into a defensive low block designed to absorb pressure. The Warriors' strategy invited wave after wave of attacks from College of Idaho, whose relentless pressure eventually paid off.
The Yotes fired shot after shote and finaly equalized in the 74th minute through Alexis Eiguren, who took a perfect ball from Gianna Yslava and fired it past Westcliff goalkeeper Kayli Cokley to make it 1-1.
With the momentum firmly on their side, College of Idaho continued to apply pressure, bombarding Cokley with shots. In the 84th minute, their persistence was rewarded again. Abbi Roubidoux found herself in the right place at the right time, tapping in a free kick Shaelyn Olsen to give the Yotes a 2-1 lead—a lead they would not relinquish.
The final tally reflected the dominance of College of Idaho's attack, which finished the match with a staggering 26 shots compared to just 3 for Westcliff. Despite the Warriors' valiant defensive shift, the Yotes' 13 shots on target were too much for Westcliff to handle.
Goalkeeper Alivia Brenchley earned the victory for the Yotes, making 2 saves and staying sharp under the counter attacks from Westcliff. The Warriors' Cokley, who faced a staggering 26 shots, was forced into 5 saves but couldn't keep the Yotes from breaking through.
The Yotes will now head to Pensacola for the NAIA Women's Soccer National Championship, where they will look to continue their unbeaten run and make a deep tournament run. Their next match will be either December 2nd or 3rd, with a chance to secure a spot in the national semifinals.
With their perfect season still intact, the Yotes are poised to make a statement on the national stage and continue their historic journey toward the ultimate prize.