SANTA CLARITA, Calif. – Nearly nine months after their memorable postseason battle ended with The College of Idaho advancing on penalty kicks, the Yotes once again found a way to get the better of The Master's University.
 
This time, there was no need for a shootout.
 
No. 10 The College of Idaho used a relentless second-half attack and a breakout performance from freshman Rylee Russell to defeat No. 25 The Master's, 3-2, Thursday afternoon at Reese Field. Russell scored the first two goals of her collegiate career, while center back Shaelyn Olsen added her fourth career goal.
 
The matchup was a replay of the 2025 NAIA Women's Soccer National Championship Second Round, when the programs battled to a 1-1 draw before the Yotes advanced to the NAIA Final Site with a 4-1 advantage in penalty kicks. Thursday's rematch featured many of the same dramatic twists before The College of Idaho eventually imposed its will over the nationally ranked Mustangs.
 
After a tightly contested opening half, the Yotes broke through in the 36th minute when Russell found the back of the net for the first goal of her college career and a 1-0 lead. The Master's threatened on several occasions before halftime, including a shot off the crossbar, but The College of Idaho carried the advantage into the break.
 
The Mustangs answered quickly after intermission, pulling even less than two minutes into the second half on a goal from Autumn Heeb. Rather than retreat, the Yotes raised their level.
 
The response was immediate and emphatic.
 
The College of Idaho generated seven shots in the opening 45 minutes, but ramped up the pressure after halftime with 13 more attempts. The increased urgency consistently forced The Master's onto its heels and eventually broke open the match.
 
Olsen restored the Yotes' advantage in the 63rd minute, finishing an opportunity created by Alondra Osuna. From that point, The College of Idaho controlled the flow of play and continued piling on chances.
 
Russell delivered the decisive moment in the 84th minute, striking again for her second goal of the afternoon and pushing the lead to 3-1. The tally capped a remarkable day for the freshman, who placed all six of her shots on frame while accounting for two of the Yotes' three goals.
 
The Mustangs added a consolation goal at the final horn from Breanna Fajardo, trimming the margin to 3-2, but the outcome had long since been decided as The College of Idaho had established firm control of the contest.
 
The statistics reflected the Yotes' dominance. The College of Idaho outshot The Master's 20-12 and was remarkably efficient offensively, placing 16 of its 20 shots on target. The Mustangs managed only five shots on goal. The Yotes also held a 9-6 edge in corner kicks while forcing TMU goalkeeper Katie Snow into 13 saves.
 
Russell led all players with six shots and two goals, while Olsen, Osuna, Allison Moultray, Addy Osterhout, Peyton Scott and Claire Busse all contributed shots on target. In goal, Molly McCabe recorded three saves to earn the victory.
 
The Yotes conclude their California road trip on Saturday when they face Hope International. Kickoff is scheduled for 11 a.m. Mountain Time.