The College of Idaho men's soccer team kicked off their 2026 season with a gritty 0-0 draw against Northwest Nazarene University. Goalkeeper Fynn Gehring was the standout player, making six saves to secure a clean sheet despite the Nighthawks dominating possession and shots on goal. The Yotes managed to hold off a relentless offensive effort from NNU, which outshot them 14-1, and showed strong defensive resilience throughout the match. The game officially counted for The College of Idaho but served as an exhibition for the NCAA Division II opponents. The Yotes will face College of Southern Idaho in a scrimmage before their next regular-season match on September 1 against The Master's University.

By the Numbers
  • Northwest Nazarene outshot The College of Idaho 14-1.
  • The Yotes recorded only one shot on goal, which came in the 51st minute.
  • Fynn Gehring had six saves in his debut, with three saves in each half.
State of Play
  • The Yotes displayed strong defensive tactics but struggled offensively throughout the match.
  • A disallowed goal for offside kept the scoreline at 0-0.
  • The Yotes will have a practicing game against College of Southern Idaho before entering the regular season.
What's Next

Following the scrimmage against College of Southern Idaho, The College of Idaho will focus on preparing for their first regular-season match against The Master's University on September 1. The outcome of this match could set the tone for their upcoming season.

Bottom Line

The Yotes demonstrated strong defensive capabilities in their season opener, led by Gehring's stellar goalkeeping. However, to improve moving forward, they must find ways to generate more offensive opportunities and convert them into goals. This match serves as a promising start to address both challenges as the season progresses.