LA GRANDE, Ore. –
Brittany Houghton made nine key saves and a pair of College of Idaho goals held up, as the Lady Yotes defeated UBC-Okanagan, 2-1, in both team's season opener at the Eastern Oregon Soccer Complex.
Despite being outshot 21-5 on the afternoon, the Yotes (1-0) made the most of their opportunities to earn the win against the Canadian side.
The Heat (0-1) had the run of the pitch during the first 20 minutes –getting multiple quality opportunities. UBC-O had three corner kick chances in the rush, with Devon Fleming getting a 1-on-1 chance in the seventh minute that Houghton stuffed.
C of I used a counter attack to take the lead in the 26th minute, as
Aurora Ostolasa made a run down the right side, slotting a ball across the goal mouth to the waiting foot of
Jamiece Yizar, who slammed home the counter.
UBC-O continued the pressure, including a long 1-on-1 run in the 34th minute down the left side by Michelle Smith against a charging Houghton, with Smith pushing her left footed shot just wide.
The second half opened with a UBC-O flurry, as Ellis put two shots on frame and Smith another, but Houghton provided the wall of defense for the Yotes.
In the 67th minute, the Yotes narrowly missed making it 2-0, as
Allie Boyd made a run into the box, with her low driving shot just missing left. Four minutes later, C of I did get the two goal advantage, as
Hailey Boyd played a perfect cross into the box, finding the head of
Camas Curran, who nudged the ball into the back of the net.
Things got interesting in the 84th minute, as Ally Ferronato came unmarked just outside the box, roping a right-footed rocket into the upper left corner of the net to cut the margin to 2-1. However, the Yote defense held off two late charges to complete the win.
The physical match had a combined 30 fouls.
C of I returns to action on Wednesday, traveling to Northwest Nazarene for their final scrimmage of the season.
YOTE NOTES: - The win was the first for the Lady Yotes in a season opener since 2012
- C of I improved to 11-15-1 all-time in season openers
- The victory was the Yotes first-ever against a Canadian school (C of I was 0-1-1 against Simon Fraser)
- Temperatures were in the 80s with smoky conditions due to wildfires in Central Oregon.
