CALDWELL, Idaho – Playing under the lights at Simplot Stadium for the first time, The College of Idaho lacrosse team won its 20th-straight regular-season game, using a huge second half to post a 17-6 victory over Utah State in the season opener for both teams.

The Yotes (1-0) used a five-goal flurry early in the fourth quarter to blow the game wide open, as Joey Brant had four goals and newcomers Loy Howard and Dane Hamilton each found the net three times.

The opening 30 minutes was a defensive struggle, as Brant scored a goal in each of the first two quarters, giving the hosts a 4-2 lead at the break.

Adjustments at halftime paid off for C of I, as the Yotes scored four goals in a two minute third-quarter window, started by a Ty Burnett goal and ended by a Casey Davies strike off a Hamilton pass, to give the Coyotes an 8-2 lead.

C of I took a 10-4 lead to the final quarter, but a devastating two-minute non-releasable penalty early in the period on the Aggies (0-1) worked to the Yotes advantage. Howard scored back-to-back goals and Hamilton scored two goals sandwiched around a Davies finish – all in a 73-second span – extending the lead to 15-4.

Cade Brown did the rest, as the Coyote goalie made 14 saves in the victory, including a 24-minute stretch without allowing a goal.

The Yotes improved to 17-0 all-time at Simplot Stadium, while winning their 18th-straight home game, dating back to 2016.

C of I was to play Sunday at Boise State, however the match has been postponed due to COVID-19 concerns within the BSU program.