BILLINGS, Mont. – A pair of first half goals gave the College of Idaho the cushion they would need, as the Lady Yotes defeated Division II foe Montana State Billings, 3-1, on a windy afternoon at Yellowjacket Field.
Despite the hosts doubling up C of I in total shots, the Lady Yotes (4-2) converted three of their four shots on goal into scores, picking up their first-ever win against an NCAA Division II foe not named Northwest Nazarene.
After keeper
Brittany Houghton turned away three early Yellowjacket (0-4-1) chances, the Yotes struck first in the 23rd minute, as
Katelyn Benavidez played a cross from the goal line left of the cage through traffic, finding the unmarked
Emma Powley who drove a shot into the top right corner of the net.
C of I would extend the lead to 2-0 in the 40th minute, as
Allie Boyd played a soft cross at the top of the 18 to
Bailey Watson, who looped a shot over the head of MSUB keeper Lili Delgadillo for the score.
Reilly Coyle pushed the margin to 3-0 in the 54th minute – redirecting a Powley shot past Delgadillo for her second goal of the season.
MSUB averted the shutout, as Hayley Warren was fouled in the box, converting the 64th minute penalty kick – but the Yellowjackets did not score again.
The 'Jackets held a 20-8 edge in shots, but Houghton was up to the task, recording eight saves on the afternoon. C of I held a 5-2 edge in corner kicks – as all 22 players who saw the pitch played 26 or more minutes.
C of I returns to action in two weeks, hosting Carroll and Great Falls to open the conferece sesason.
