CALDWELL, Idaho – Fueled by a column written by the MCLA that predicted a College of Idaho loss, the Coyotes used the motivation in a rematch of the past two Pacific Northwest Collegiate Lacrosse League championship games – dominating No. 14-ranked Montana from the opening face-off in a 20-10 victory at Simplot Stadium.
The No. 11-ranked Yotes (3-0) bolted to an 8-0 lead just nine minutes into the match and were never headed against a Grizzlies team that was picked to win the PNCLL title and picked by the MCLA staffers to win the Top-25 match-up.
Ryan Henning got the flurry started just 53 seconds into the match, finding the net from just outside the crease for the 1-0 lead.
R.J. Walker followed with the first of his four goals in the period, bouncing a one-hop strike into the net, while adding three-straight goals in a two minute span to give the hosts an 8-0 lead at the 5:59 mark of the quarter.
Two Jimmy Pierce goals got the Griz (1-4) within 8-2 early in the second quarter – as close as they would get all afternoon – but Henning answered with a goal,
Hank Ontiveros won a face-off and sprinted to the attack zone and scored, part of a four-goal run that gave C of I a 12-2 lead at the break.
UM was within 12-4 early in the third quarter, but three Ontiveros goals, part of a 5-goal C of I run, put the match away.
Henning led C of I with seven goals and two assists, with Ontiveros adding six counters and one helper. Walker scored four goals, with
Casey Davies adding two goals and two assists.
C of I opens PNCLL South Division play next Saturday, hosting Pacific Lutheran.
