MEDFORD, Ore. — In a match defined by relentless pressure and dramatic tension, The College of Idaho women's soccer team punched its ticket to the Cascade Collegiate Conference semifinal with a heart-stopping 1-0 overtime victory over Carroll (Mont.) Friday afternoon at Wheeler Field.
After 96 minutes of scoreless soccer, it was Abbi Roubidoux who delivered the decisive moment. Re-entering the match just two minutes prior, the junior forward found herself in the right place at the right time, burying a the sudden-victory goal in the seventh minute of the first overtime period off a well-placed assist from Gracie Walt. The strike marked Roubidoux's 15th goal of the season and sent the Yotes bench into a frenzy as the team stormed the field to celebrate the sudden victory.
The Yotes dominated the stat sheet, outshooting Carroll 29-5 and forcing 15 saves from Saints goalkeeper Maria Ackerman. College of Idaho's Alivia Brenchley stood tall in goal, making four saves to preserve the clean sheet.
Despite the lopsided offensive numbers, Carroll's defense held firm through regulation, absorbing wave after wave of Yote attacks. But the pressure finally broke in overtime, when Walt slipped a pass through the back line and Roubidoux did the rest.
With the win, The College of Idaho improves to 15-2-0 and moves one step closer to a CCC Tournament title. The Yotes will face their next challenge in the conference semifinal, where they'll look to continue their postseason run.
