MCMINNVILLE, Ore. - Erika Thompson recorded College of Idaho's first hat trick since 2010, as the Lady Yotes defeated Trinity Lutheran, 3-1, at Maxwell Field.
The win for the Yotes (4-0) helped the team to their best start in the 27-year history of the program.
Thompson scored a pair of goals in the opening 10 minutes of the match, then tacked on a key insurance goal in the second half, as C of I improved to 2-0 this season in neutral site games. Â It marked the first three-goal game by a Lady Yote since Oct. 8, 2010, when Kelly Hardegree-Ullman logged a hat trick in a 4-1 victory at Northwest.
C of I struck first in the fifth minute, as Thompson made a long 1-on-1 run, beating Eagles (2-3) keeper Colby Smits for the 1-0 lead. Â Following the restart, the Yotes earned a corner kick, with Thompson driving home the counter.
TLC got on the board in the 29th minute, as Breann Morrin drove a low liner into the left corner of the net.
In the 52nd minute, the Yotes nearly added to the lead, but Sabrina Mallett's blast clanged off the middle of the cross bar. Â However, seven minutes later, Jamiece Yizar played a ball to Thompson and rocketed a shot right between the legs of Smits to push the lead to 3-1.
Brittany Houghton made seven saves to earn the win in goal for C of I, as the Yotes held a 17-11 edge in shots, putting 11 shots on frame. Â The Coyotes also had a season-high nine corner kick opportunities in the win.
C of I will take tomorrow off in preparation for a Sunday matchup with host Linfield College.
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