NAMPA, Idaho – Spotting rival Northwest Nazarene a 2-0 lead, the College of Idaho found their rhythm in the second half, but came up just short, as the rival Crusaders stopped the Yotes, 2-1, in an exhibition game at the Finkbeiner Soccer Complex.
Limited to just one shot over the first 45 minutes, the Coyotes held a 9-5 edge in opportunities in the second stanza – breaking through in the 54th minute as
Joao Cardoso played a free kick into the box, finding the foot of
Carter Perry to cut the NNU margin to one goal.
The Yotes were further helped by a red card on the Crusaders in the 70th minute and had five shots during the final 20 minutes – but NNU keeper Ryan Foo was up to the task to complete the win.
NNU dominated the first half, opening the scoring in the 16th minute as Keon Jones drove a shot past C of I keeper
Grant Billings. They would extend the lead early in the second half, as Ebu Camara pounded on a loose ball outside the Coyote box and tucked a low shot into the left corner of the net.
Billings had six saves in the loss for the Yotes, who were outshot 14-10 and allowed nine corner kick chances.
C of I has next weekend off, returning to action on Sept. 11 for a road match-up at Division III Whitman.
