Medford, OR – In a heart-wrenching finish, the College of Idaho Men's Soccer team concluded their season with a 2-1 defeat against Eastern Oregon in the Cascade Collegiate Conference Quarterfinal. The game, marked by intense fouls and near misses, kept fans on edge until the final minutes.
The Yotes took a dramatic lead in the 59th minute when Jorge Fernandez delivered a sensational free kick from 25 yards out, arcing it past the outstretched arms of the Eastern Oregon goalkeeper, Anthony Lemus. This goal marked Fernandez's 12th of the season, ending his year as one of the team's top scorers, with 27 points overall.
Eastern Oregon responded in the 81st minute with a goal by Jahrie Gray, assisted by Cristian Trujillo and Pablo Cardenas-Sanchez. Then, in the 88th minute, Eastern Oregon struck again with a decisive unassisted goal from Trujillo, crushing the Yotes' hopes of extending their season.
Despite a solid season with a 9-4-4 record, the Yotes struggled to convert opportunities, with only six shots to Eastern Oregon's ten. The Yotes showcased resilience throughout the season, scoring 46 goals in total, averaging 2.7 goals per game, and Fernandez's free kick was emblematic of the grit this team displayed.
