CALDWELL, Idaho — The College of Idaho soccer programs are gearing up for a thrilling 2025 season, with both the women's and men's teams earning top-five placements in the Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) preseason coaches' polls released this week.
Women's Soccer: Unanimous No. 1 with Eyes on Making National Waves
The College of Idaho women's soccer team enters the new season as the unanimous favorite to win the CCC, receiving all 13 first-place votes and totaling 169 points. The Yotes are riding a wave of momentum after a historic 2024 campaign that saw them reach the NAIA Semifinals and extend their CCC regular season win streak to 25 games which is an unbeaten run that dates back to 2022.
Leading the charge is senior forward Eden Makaafi. Makaafi earned First Team All-Conference honors, scored a hat trick in the NAIA Tournament, and was named Third Team All-American. She spent the summer competing with the Tonga national team, further sharpening her skills for the upcoming season.
Junior forward Natasja Davis returns after a breakout year in which she earned First Team All-Conference honors and was named a Daktronics NAIA Scholar-Athlete. Davis made headlines last season by scoring just 1:42 into the match against Multnomah, setting the tone for the Yotes' offensive dominance.
Also returning is Gianna Yslava, a junior forward who was named CCC Newcomer of the Year and earned First Team All-Conference honors. Yslava also competed in the USL W League over the summer, gaining valuable experience at a high level of play.
The Yotes bolster their roster with several exciting additions. Reagan Flynn, a prolific scorer from Bonneville High School, joins the squad after tallying 63 goals and 40 assists during her prep career. She was a two-year captain and earned First Team All-State and All-Region honors. Natali Madrigal, a midfielder from Rocky Mountain High School, helped lead her team to an undefeated season and a 2024 state championship. Rounding out the newcomers is Utah Tech transfer Rachel Feveryear, a four-year varsity starter at American Fork High School who won two USYS Farwest Regional titles with Utah Celtic FC.
Men's Soccer: Building on a Strong Finish
The College of Idaho men's soccer team was picked fifth in the CCC preseason poll, earning 126 points and one first-place vote. The Yotes closed out the 2024 regular season unbeaten in their final seven matches and look to carry that momentum into 2025.
Senior defender Luke Quinn returns as a steady presence on the back line, having contributed five assists in 11 games last season. Up front, senior forward Eric Hornung brings scoring power and academic excellence, netting six goals in nine games while earning Academic All-CCC honors.
Sophomore midfielder Pierre Fabre made an immediate impact as a freshman, scoring four goals and assisting three others. Fellow sophomore Keidin Green emerged as a game-changer last season, leading the team with eight goals and showcasing his ability to shift the momentum in key moments.
The Yotes also welcome several high-impact additions. Carlos Camacho, the 2022 Idaho Gatorade Player of the Year, transfers in after two strong seasons at Columbia Basin College. Chris Slater, a 6'2" defender from Bryant and Stratton College, was named a USCAA All-American and adds size and experience to the back line. Evan Dickinson, a 6'3" junior defender from Walla Walla Community College, joins the Yotes after earning All-American honors in 2024.
CCC Preseason Polls
Women's Soccer Top 5:
- College of Idaho (13) – 169
- Oregon Tech – 140
- Eastern Oregon – 137
- Carroll – 132
- Southern Oregon – 107
Men's Soccer Top 5:
- Carroll (9) – 158
- Southern Oregon (1) – 148
- Eastern Oregon (1) – 141
- Warner Pacific (1) – 128
- College of Idaho (1) – 126
The women's team opens up their regular season against Dordt Univ. (Iowa) at SImplot Stadium on August 23rd. Kickoff is scheduled for 11:00 AM. The men start their campaign on at home against Embry-Riddle Aeronautical Univ. (Ariz.) on August 30th with a 11:00 AM kickoff.
