CALDWELL, Idaho – Elliot Misic bent a 20-yard free kick around the wall and into the right corner of the net in the 81st minute, lifting Northwest University to a 2-1 victory over The College of Idaho at Simplot Stadium.
The Eagles (8-7-1, 5-5-1 CCC) withstood a second half onslaught by the Yotes in a physical affair that featured 38 fouls and seven cautions.
A foul just outside the box set up the game-winner, as Misic sent a head-high liner to the right of the 5-man wall just past the outstretched arms of Coyotes (6-8, 4-7) keeper
Parker Billings.
NU had the run of the pitch in the first half – breaking through at the start of the 42nd minute. Jordan Travis made a run in the box and was stopped by Billings, but the rebound fell at the feet of Kyle Han, who slotted home the goal and a 1-0 lead.
The Yotes flipped the field in the second half – as NU keeper Alexander Thiehofe stopped a 20-yard
Bekir Cinac chance early in the period and a
Cole Fuller drive left of the goal in the 58th minute just missed wide.
C of I got the equalizer in the 76th minute on a brilliant 25-yard free kick goal from
Jack O'Leary. O'Leary hit a low shot through the wall, skipping twice on the turf before finding the left corner of the net.
The Yotes had a final chance to force overtime with a free kick inside the final 20 seconds – but a Cinac drive missed over the crossbar.
NU held a slim 12-11 edge in shots and a 5-2 edge in corner kick. Both Thiehofe and Billings each had three saves in the contest.
C of I closes out the regular-season next weekend with home matches Friday vs. Multnomah and Sunday vs. Warner Pacific.
