Box Score
CALDWELL, Idaho - Nicko Moreno scored a pair of goals and The College of Idaho withstood a late barrage from Northwest Christian to win today's Cascade Conference opener, 3-2, at Simplot Stadium.
The win for the Yotes (1-4, 1-0 CCC) was their first of the year and the first in the collegiate coaching career of head man, Thom Baker.
C of I led 3-1 with less than 10 minutes to go - but the Beacons (0-4, 0-1), looking for their first-ever win in Idaho, responded. A foul in the box in the 83rd minute gave NCU a penalty kick - but Colin Benham-Marin snuffed Adam Crossingham's drive to the left post, then made a diving save of a rebound shot from Ian Hawksford. Benham-Marin had to leave the game in the 87th minute, after a foul as the last line of defense - resulting in a red card. On the ensuing free kick, Austin Crook bent a ball into the upper right corner to make it 3-2. NCU, with a man advantage, controlled the possession over the final three minutes, but did not get another shot on goal.
The Beacons struck first in the 16th minute, as Steve Jusko chipped a ball from the right corner of the area to the left corner of the six-yard box, finding the head of Nick Peloquin to make it 1-0. C of I answered in the 35th minute, as Moreno made a run up the middle of the field, touching a pass to Brandon Smith, receiving the ball back at the top of the 18 - and cracking a shot into the upper left corner of the twine.
The Yotes dominated the first 35 minutes of the second half - nearly taking the lead in the 50th minute when Cristian Sanchez rocketed a volley to the right corner of the net, with Erik Carrazco making a diving save. C of I would take the lead in the 72nd minute, as Jorge Brambila was fouled in the box - and Yan Gioseffi converted the resulting penalty kick for a 2-1 edge. The Coyotes would make it 3-1 in the 80th minute, as Joao Cardoso played a ball to Moreno down the right side, driving an 18-yard shot into the net.
C of I held a commanding 21-7 edge in total shots and a 9-1 edge in corner kicks. The two teams combined for five cards and 39 fouls.
The Coyotes return to action on Saturday morning, hosting Northwest University at 11 a.m.
