College of Idaho Edges Warner Pacific, Earns Home Field for Playoff

www.wpcknights.com

(Portland, Oregon) - College of Idaho's Matt Kelley found the net in the 85th minute to stun Warner Pacific 2-1 in the final regular season contest at David Douglas High School today.

With both teams qualified for the Cascade Conference post-season, the result of the contest would determine which squad would serve as host for the semifinal game to be held next Tuesday. The Knights needed a win or a tie to earn the home field, but it was the visiting Yotes (10-7-1, 9-4-1 CCC) that picked up the victory in the final moments.

In the early moments of the game, Warner Pacific (9-8-1, 9-5-0 CCC) was the aggressor and generated the scoring chances. The Knights broke through with a 15 yard bullet from Joel Duenas in the 13th minute. The senior took a touch from Alija Sacirovic and fired a strike near post to beat diving C of I keeper Aaron Reynolds.

The Yotes struck back just two minutes later however, as Brian Buckingham headed a ball over Knight goalkeeper Sean Ervin who was caught off his line.

The sides slugged it out between the 18's for much of the rest of the game, with scoring opportunities few and far between. As time ebbed away, WP's Duenas nearly found the game winner but his right footed shot missed just left of the post.

Kelly's game winner was from the six yard line, right in front after Emir Kobic served a corner kick into the penalty area. The Knight defense could not dig the ball out of the crowd, and Kelly pounced for the point blank score.

The Knights will travel to Caldwell for the semifinal matchup versus College of Idaho on Tuesday, November 9th at Simplot Stadium. Game time to be announced.

Source: Warner Pacific College