This may have been the first collegiate goal for Emma Hopkins (pictured above), but it was hardly the first time she’d ever put the ball in the back of the net. She knew the feeling.

“I saw an opportunity and took it,” The Master’s forward said. “I just hammered it, and I knew the second I took it that it was going in.”

Hopkins’ line drive from 10 yards out in the first half was the highlight of the Mustangs’ 1-1 tie with the College of Idaho on Friday at TMU. Master’s moved to 3-2-2 on the year, while the Yotes went to 1-0-2.

For Hopkins, who scored 80 goals in four seasons at Grace Brethren High in Simi Valley, California, it was an encore to Monday’s strong performance. Coach Curtis Lewis believes she’s been the team’s best outside halfback during that span, further proof she’s gaining confidence in her second year at TMU.

“I’ve been building up to getting a goal,” Hopkins said. “So it feels good.”

Emma Powley scored for the Yotes in the 66th minute, beating a defender and lifting a high-arching shot that dropped below the crossbar and into the goal. Twenty-four more minutes of scoreless soccer sent Master’s to its third overtime appearance in its last four games. TMU tied Marymount California, 1-1, in double overtime on Aug. 27 and lost to Marian (IN) on Monday, 3-2, in another game that featured two extra periods.

The Mustangs and Yotes each managed three shots over the day’s final 20 minutes but to no avail.

On a positive note, after earning its second tie of the year, Lewis believes his team is learning how to earn a result in long, close games.

“We’re learning how to grind games out,” Lewis said. “I think learning how to do that in close games maybe you start feeling more comfortable (in those positions).”

Hopkins’ goal in the 37th minute came after a corner kick. Freshman midfielder Elizabeth Radmilovich won a 50-50 ball near the goal and tapped it to Hopkins along the baseline.

“The minute I saw her kick the ball, I was like, ‘Oh my goodness. I have to shoot it,'” Hopkins said. “I had an opportunity and decided to take it.”

Afterward, Hopkins praised Radmilovich, who has earned a reputation during the early portion of her first season as someone with endless energy. Radmilovich played all 110 minutes Friday.

“She’s been awesome,” Hopkins said. “I would just say she has a never-ending engine. She works so hard for the team and brings so much energy.”

Here’s the box score.

The Mustangs will host Providence Christian College (CA) at TMU on Monday at 4 p.m., the final game of what’s been a five-match homestand.

— Game Recap By Mason Nesbitt, TMU Sports Information Director