GREAT FALLS, Mont. - The College of Idaho scored twice in 34 seconds late in the first half, and Molly McCabe made four saves to finish a 2-0 conference win over Providence on Thursday afternoon.
CI pressed from the opening whistle, outshooting Providence 12-3 in the first half, but Providence keeper Chloe Pajaro held the game scoreless for nearly 40 minutes. She stopped six first-half shots, including attempts from Campbell Reed, Madison Little, Alondra Osuna, Addy Osterhout and Taylor Maehr, plus a Shaelyn Olsen header off a corner.
The breakthrough came off a set piece. Grace Eastman's shot was blocked at 38:38, and she sent the ensuing corner into the box. Savannah Staley finished it at 39:13, with assists from Maehr and Eastman. On the next possession, Morgan Nicoletti, who had come off the bench less than four minutes earlier, made it 2-0 at 39:47.
The second half belonged to the goalkeepers and the woodwork. Providence's best chance came at 57:31, when Shea Waters hit the crossbar. McCabe then turned away Waters at 64:35 and Autumn Apana-Purcell at 76:13 to protect the shutout. At the other end, Rylee Russell rang the crossbar at 81:57, and Pajaro made three more saves to keep the margin at two.
Staley's goal was the game-winner. Maehr added an assist and put two of her three shots on target in 32 minutes off the bench. Abbi Roubidoux led CI with five shots. McCabe played all 90 minutes for the shutout. The Yotes finished with a 23-7 edge in shots, 11-4 in shots on goal and 5-2 in corners.
Pajaro finished with nine saves for Providence. Waters and Apana-Purcell each had two shots, and the hosts put just four on goal all afternoon.
CI improves to 12-3-0 overall and 8-2-0 in conference play. Providence falls to 4-10-0 and 4-7-0.