EUGENE, Ore. - After being picked to finish fourth in the CCC during the preseason, the College of Idaho Yotes ended with their first CCC Tournament championship in 20 years after taking down No. 20 Southern Oregon, 1-0.
The win marks the second time that the Yotes have beaten SOU this season, with no win as meaningful as the victory the team saw on Friday. Sophomore
Eric Hornung scored the championship winning goal in the 15th minute coming off an assist from
Dani Alejos that would end up being the winner. The win is the first tournament title for the Yotes since 2003, last defeating Concordia in the championship game. The Yotes run in the CCC Tournament ended last year at the hands of SOU in the quarterfinals.
Tom Baynard-Smith had a fantastic game in net, coming up clutch when the Yotes needed him most. The All-CCC First Team member recorded six saves and held the 20th-ranked Raiders without a goal for just the second time this season, the first was the last time these two met. The Yotes defense held SOU to nine total shots, with six of them on target.
"This is a long journey of trials and successes," said head coach
Thom Baker. "This young group of men have been a wonderful group to work with. So dedicated, so positive, so together. They're as much of a family as any team that we have had out here. It's well deserved for these guys."
Up next, the Yotes will find out their opponent for the NAIA Championships on Monday, with first and second round play slated to begin later next week.
