FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – September 18, 2026
PORTLAND, Ore. | The Warner Pacific University women's soccer team battled one of the nation's top teams on Friday, going toe-to-toe with the No. 9-ranked College of Idaho Yotes before falling 1-0 in a tightly contested matchup.
The Knights created several opportunities against the nationally ranked Yotes and remained within striking distance throughout the full 90 minutes. Warner Pacific finished the match with eight shots, including three on goal, while College of Idaho recorded 15 shots with only three finding the target.
Warner Pacific began creating chances midway through the opening half.
Katya Tercek recorded the Knights' first attempt in the 14th minute before
Skyla Hansen and
Clarisa Lemus each generated opportunities in a span of just 20 seconds.
College of Idaho broke through in the 21st minute when Abbi Roubidoux scored off an assist from Rylee Russell to put the Yotes ahead 1-0. Warner Pacific immediately responded, with Tercek putting a shot on goal less than a minute later that was stopped by College of Idaho goalkeeper Molly McCabe.
The Knights continued searching for the equalizer before halftime. Tercek forced another save from McCabe in the 33rd minute, but Warner Pacific entered the break trailing by one. The Knights produced five first-half shots, with two on goal.
Warner Pacific's defense kept the Knights in the match throughout the second half. Goalkeeper Evelyn Montiel made a key save in the 55th minute to keep the deficit at one as the Yotes attempted to add to their advantage. Montiel finished the night with two saves while allowing just the lone first-half goal.
The Knights continued to search for an equalizer.
Litzy Gonzalez put a shot on target in the 72nd minute, forcing another save from McCabe, before
Kasia Lopez created another opportunity in the 79th minute. Warner Pacific's defense held College of Idaho scoreless throughout the second half, but the Knights were unable to find the tying goal before the final whistle.
Tercek led the Warner Pacific attack with four shots, including two on goal. Gonzalez added a shot on goal, while Lopez, Hansen and Lemus each recorded an attempt. The Knights put three of their eight total shots on target against the No. 9 Yotes.
Following the match, Warner Pacific head coach
Greg Pfleger praised the Knights' effort and the contributions his team received throughout the contest.
"Our girls battled hard against a very good 9th ranked College of Idaho team and created several opportunities to score. We continue to grow and learn to play the way our staff is asking and I was especially proud of our young players and others who stepped up and showed they can make a difference when their team needs them," Pfleger said.
Despite the result, Warner Pacific held a nationally ranked opponent to a single goal and kept the Yotes off the scoreboard for the final 69 minutes of the match. The result moves the Knights to 1-2-1 on the season.
