EUGENE, Ore. – Oregon Tech and Warner Pacific needed overtime for a second-straight season to determine the champion of the Cascade Conference Tournament, presented by U.S. Bank at Civic Park. Hunter Leach broke a scoreless tie with the first of three goals for the Knights in extra time, toppling the Owls, 3-0, to claim the tourney title.
WPU (18-0-3) completed an unbeaten regular-season, avenging a 2-1 loss to OIT in last season's title game. The Owls (13-2-4) had their 12-match unbeaten streak snapped – but will learn their NAIA Tournament destination and opponent on Monday morning.
Tech keeper
Joel Witts kept the Owls in the match – making six saves over the first 95 minutes of the contest – as WPU held a commanding 13-3 edge in shots through regulation.
The Knights broke through in the 98th minute – as Erik Mattice played a cross from the right sideline into the box – finding Mattice, who slotted a shot past the diving Witts for the go-ahead score.
WPU extended the lead with two insurance goals in the second 10-minute period – as the NAIA's leading scorer, Andrew Martinez got behind the OIT defense and tallied his 31st goal. Matias Castano capped the scoring with a late penalty kick after the Owls were whistled for a foul in an obvious goal-scoring situation.
