CALDWELL, Idaho - Jessica Ramback flicked home the lone goal of the match in the 65th minute, as Concordia University claimed their tenth-consecutive Cascade Conference Tournament championship, outlasting The College of Idaho, 1-0, at sunny Simplot Stadium.
Ramback, the CCC's Offensive Player of the Year, took advantage of a breakdown in the defense by the No. 20 ranked Coyotes (14-3), getting a feed from Kaitlyn Tebbs at the top of the 18 - flicking the ball into the left corner of the goal.
With the win, the No. 6 ranked Cavaliers (18-2) earn the CCC's automatic berth to the NAIA Championships, beginning on Nov. 21.
However, it wasn't easy, as the Lady Yotes held a 14-12 edge in total shots - with both sides having multiple scoring opportunities turned away by the respective goalkeepers.
In the opening half, The C of I had an early chance in the 12th minute, as CCC Defensive Player of the Year, Colleen Smith, headed a loose ball off a corner just above the crossbar. The action would pick up in the final ten minutes of the period, as Angie Turner ripped a right-footed shot wide right in the 39th minute for the Cavs, with Erika Mouritsen one-timing a blast from the 18 off the crossbar for the Yotes in the 41st minute. Two minutes later, Kelton McFadden roped a shot that C of I keeper Kelly Hardegree-Ullman made a one-handed diving save to her left, with Lauren Winterholler clearing a second McFadden shot off the resulting corner kick to send the contest to the break at 0-0.
In the 54th minute, Mouritsen nearly put the Yotes on top, but Georgie Christensen made a diving save of her flick to preserve the shutout. Ramback would then tally her goal after a nice cross to the middle of the field by Alex Thomas to start the play.
CU nearly made it 2-0 in the 82nd minute, as Ramback one-timed a shot, but Hardegree-Ullman made a diving safe to her right. The Yotes had one final chance with five minutes to play, as Mandy Greif launched a shot in from the 18 after a scrum, missing just wide left.
The loss all but ends the Lady Yotes season - as it is unlikely that The C of I will receive one of the seven at-large berths to the NAIA Championships. The Coyotes set a new school record this season with 46 goals, 11 shutouts, and 14 wins - with Mouritsen earning CCC Newcomer of the Year honors and head coach Niki Taylor earning Coach of the Year honors.