via Oregon Tech Athletic Communications
MEDFORD, Ore. – Eastern Oregon took advantage of Oregon Tech defensive mistakes in the opening 15 minutes to score three goals, as the No. 3-seeded Mountaineers outlasted sixth-seed Oregon Tech, 3-2, in the quarterfinals of the Cascade Conference Championships, presented by U.S. Bank, at Lithia & Driveway Fields.
The Lady Owls (10-6-3) battled to the end and had a chance to tie inside the final five minutes, as Jaylee Curran played a 50-yard free kick into the area, bouncing at the top of the 6-yard-box, forcing EOU keeper Rylee Schei to leap high and punch the ball away – thwarting the equalizing chance.
The first 20 minutes saw all five goals – as the Mountaineers (14-4-1) capitalized on mistakes in the defensive third to score each of the goals.
Following a sixth minute corner kick, OIT had three chances to clear the ball from the box, but Ashley Smith made the most of an opportunity, collecting a loose ball near the penalty spot and drove a right-footed shot into the left corner of the net.
Tech immediately answered off the restart, as a long angled pass found a charging Ryane Mattox down the left side – touching a pass past Schei to the trailing Kaelin Ness – who slotted home her fourth goal of the year to even the score.
Unfortunately for the Lady Owls, two unlucky bounces resulted in EOU goals. In the 11th minute, a long clearance by the Mountaineers near midfield bounced past an OIT outside back, with Karina DeYoung jumping the pass and racing 50-yards, converting the 1-on-1 chance for the lead. Three minutes later, Tech failed on two clearances in the left corner of the Eastern box, the second giving Carly Imes a chance that was buried with a left foot bender into the right corner for a 3-1 lead.
The Owls got their own break in the 17th minute, as Sydney Soskis made a long run down the right side, with her cross to Claire Cowan at the back post touched into the net by an Eastern defender for an own goal, cutting the margin to 3-2. However, Tech could not get closer.
OIT keeper Elle Hillar made four saves on the day, with Schei making five saves for the Mounties, who had a 16-7 edge in total shots.
The loss ends the season for the Lady Owls, who advanced to the postseason for the ninth-consecutive season and posted their 13th 10-win season in program history.