via Oregon Tech Athletic Communications
COLLEGE PLACE, Wash. – Merrick Tambio punched Oregon Tech’s ticket to the Cascade Conference Championships, scoring an 84th-minute goal, lifting the Hustlin’ Owls to a 1-0 victory at Walla Walla University.
The victory clinched the ninth-straight postseason appearance for OIT (7-4-5, 5-4-2 CCC), with seeding to be determined following the rest of weekend play. The Hustlin’ Owls will play a CCC quarterfinal match next Saturday in Medford at either 4 p.m. or 7 p.m.
The Owls withstood an early barrage by the upstart Wolves (3-8, 3-8), who were trying to keep their playoff hopes alive – but keeper Harvey Bolland made three saves in the opening 20 minutes to keep the hosts off the board. WWU did not have a shot on frame the rest of the afternoon.
Controlling the run of play for most of the day, Tech finally capitalized, as Tambio played a cross down the end line to the back post, where Cash Cota played a soft touch back to Tambio – who headed home the lone goal of the contest.
OIT finished the day with a 7-6 edge in shots and a 4-1 edge in corner kicks.
The Owls close out the regular-season on Sunday, traveling to Portland for a 1 p.m. match at Warner Pacific.