HELENA, Mont. –
Alexa Rierson broke a tie with a header goal in the 78th minute to deliver a critical 2-1 win for The College of Idaho over Carroll on Tuesday afternoon at Nelson Stadium.
The win for the Yotes (7-3-2, 5-1-1 CCC) gives C of I a total of 16 points in the East Division standings in the Cascade Conference, just one point behind the 17 of leader Eastern Oregon. The Yotes can earn the automatic berth to the NAIA National Tournament with a win or a tie against the Fighting Saints (4-3-1, 3-3-1 CCC) on Wednesday.
For Rierson, the goal was her second straight game-winner in a row off a corner kick.
Payton Mongelli was credited with the assist.
Carroll initially took the lead in the 21st minute when Kody Clements found Brynn Walker for a goal.
C of I evened things up at 1-1 in the 47th minute on a goal from
Lily Schlake, before Rierson put the finishing touches on the win later in the half.
One of the more critical moments in the match came in the 69th minute when the Yotes built a wall to block a free kick try by the Saints from the 20. Blair Stapleton tried firing in the rebound, which was instead hauled in by
Kylee Atkins, who finished with five saves on the day.
Opportunities were relatively equal for both sides in the contest, with Carroll finishing with a 9-7 edge in shots and a 6-5 advantage in shots on frame. The Fighting Saints had five corners to four for the Yotes.
Rierson and
Madison Glascock led the attack for C of I with two shots each.
The Yotes will play Carroll one more time on Wednesday at noon with the East Division of the Cascade Conference on the line.
