2021 Spring Women's Soccer Notebook (Week 4)

COMING UP: vs. Providence, Sunday and Monday, 11 a.m.

COMPLETE MEDIA GAME NOTES
  
GAME COVERAGE: Fans can view all home soccer games with Live Video on the Yotes Digital Network. Each game will be available pay-per-view for $8.99 per game or $19.99 for the entire season pass. Live Stats on Sunday and Monday will be offered on the C of I Stretch Internet Portal.
 
ABOUT PROVIDENCE: The Argos went 5-11 overall last season and 4-8 in the Cascade Conference. Dynamic scoring threat Eme McLaughlin scored 19 of 32 goals for the team in 2019, but has graduated, leaving a key spot to fill up front for Providence. Sophomore forward Shayenn Thompson is the leading returning threat on the attack for the team after netting five goals and contributing two assists as a freshman. Primary goalie Dakota Neumann (2.27 GAA) is back along with Jenna Evertz (1.55 GAA), who started six games last season.
 
CONFERENCE FORMAT CHANGES: Since the preseason poll was released, the CCC has changed formats to feature an East Division and a West Division, with Carroll, Providence, Rocky Mountain, Eastern Oregon, College of Idaho and Multnomah in the East and Warner Pacific, Corban, Southern Oregon, Northwest, Bushnell and Oregon Tech in the West. The top teams at the end of the regular season in each division will receive an automatic qualifier to the NAIA Championships.
 
HOME SWEET HOME: Over the past 17 matches at home, C of I boasts a record of 11-2-4, including a string of four consecutive wins on the Simplot Stadium turf over the final four contests of last season.
 
LIMITING OPPONENT OPPORTUNITIES: The Yotes held Northwest without a shot on goal in the 2-0 win on Friday, while also limiting the Eagles to just four shots total.
 
HERRIDGE HAS STRONG NIGHT: Defender Brynna Herridge scored a goal in the 75th minute against Northwest off of an assist from Maddie Smith, giving her three career goals, including two against the Eagles and one against the opponent this week, Providence. In addition to the offensive strike, Herridge also helped lead a defensive effort that shutout Northwest.
WILKINSON HELPS SECURE WIN: Junior newcomer Megan Wilkinson added to a 1-0 lead against Northwest last week with a strong finish in front of the net to ensure no opportunity for the Eagles to make a comeback.
 
ATKINS POSTING LOW GOALS AGAINST AVERAGE: Senior keeper Kylee Atkins has made six saves and allowed just two goals while facing 25 shots in 200 minutes of action so far this season, giving her a 0.90 goals against average.
 
FAMILIAR COACHES: Brian Clarke of Providence and Brian Smith of C of I are two of the longest tenured coaches in the CCC, with Clarke entering his 13th season in Great Falls and Smith currently in his ninth season leading the women's soccer program for the Yotes. The two have led their teams against each other nine times, with Smith holding a 7-2 edge.
 
COUNTING THE DIVISION I GAMES: This season C of I has elected to count all games against Division I opponents, with the Yotes earning the first draw in program history with the 3-3 result at Idaho State before the 5-0 final at Eastern Washington on Sunday. Prior to this year, the program had only ever counted five games against NCAA Division I representatives, however in order to ensure that the C of I program is able to meet the 10 minimum games played requirement that is set out by the NAIA for national tournament eligibility, the games this season have all been official matches.
 
SMITH WINNINGEST COACH IN PROGRAM HISTORY: Brian Smith became the winningest coach all-time for the women's soccer program with his 59th victory last season in the 1-0 win over Multnomah on Nov. 1.
 
RECORD BOOK: Goalkeeper Kylee Atkins ended the year in the Top-20 list in multiple single season categories including No. 20 in saves (68), No. 7 in save percentage (.850), No. 6 in goals against average (0.87), No. 11 in wins (6) and No. 19 in shutouts (2.5). Atkins and Shae Waters combined for the second-best season in the net in the categories of save percentage (.863) and goals against average (0.77).
 
TAKING A LOOK AT THE FORECAST: After facing some brisk conditions to begin the spring season, C of I will be looking at comfortable temperatures in the mid to upper 50s for the two games this week.
 
LOOKING AHEAD: The Yotes head north to Billings next week for contests at Rocky Mountain on Mar. 14-15.