CALDWELL, Idaho - Crystal Foster scored the game-winning goal in the fourth minute as Warner Pacific blanked the College of Idaho, 2-0, in the quarterfinals of the Cascade Conference Championships, presented by U.S. Bank, at Simplot Stadium.
Playing in their first postseason game in program history, the Knights (8-9-2) showed no signs of early nerves as Cristal Ruvalcaba sent a cross into the box between two defenders, finding the foot of Crystal Foster who flicked the ball into the right corner of the net for the early 1-0 lead.Â
The Lady Yotes (7-6-4) had two quality scoring opportunities of the first half, as in the 32nd minute; Kately Benavidez rocked a left footed shot in the box that was snared by WPC keeper Allie Holterman. In the 42nd minute, an unmarked Mallory Cripps sent a shot attempt from the top of the 18 just high of the net.
Warner Pacific would add another goal in the final minute of the first half as Foster sent a cross from the far corner to Mina Cavalli-Singer who one-timed the ball out of the air into the left corner of the goal.
C of I had chances in the second half, holding a 9-6 edge in shots, including a Sabrinna Mallett shot in the 75th minute that went just right. Katelyn Benavidez added a one-time drive in the 85th minute that just missed wide of the left post.
Benavidez led the Lady Yotes with a game-high five shots, three of which were on frame. Summer Jackson had three shot attempts, along with two from Cripps.
Holterman had five saves for the Knights, who recorded their seventh shutout of the season.
WPC will await the result of tomorrow's second quarterfinal game between Southern Oregon and Corban to determine the semifinal pairings. The Knights will meet second-seed Concordia with a SOU victory, while they will meet top-seed Northwest with a Corban victory.
