Helena, Mont. – Jonathan Taylor buried a 35-yard free kick into the top left corner of the goal in the 86th minute to give the Saints a 1-0 lead and a win over the College of Idaho Friday afternoon at Nelson Stadium.

 "Taylor earned this goal.  He has been an outstanding player for us all year," head coach Doug Mello said. "Hopefully this gives him more confidence and he builds on this game"

The goal would have been for a tie had Carroll goalkeeper Conor Smith not made a save on a penalty kick in the 72nd minute. Smith's save was one of three on the day that led to his third shutout on the season. He has made four penalty kick saves in five attempts s far this season.

 "Cojo's (Smith) save helped turn the momentum in our favor and we rode that for the final minutes of the game," Mello said. "He has done it for us all year and I don't know if I have seen a goalkeeper at any level have that high if a percentage."

Carroll outshot the Yotes 11-5 with a 5-3 advantage on frame and a 9-2 advantage on corner kicks.

The Saints stay near the top of a competitive Cascade Conference with this win. Mello hopes this game will better prepare his team for the tough upcoming matches.

"Close matches like this gives us experience and makes us ready for anything" said Mello.  "We are playing well and finding ways to win in the end, but we have a tough match tomorrow to get ready for."
Carroll faces No. 15 Rocky Mountain Saturday at 1:30 p.m. at Nelson Stadium. The Bears are 9-1, after losing 3-1 against Great Falls.