SPRINGFIELD, Ore. – Keeper Rylee Schei made three consecutive saves in penalty kicks to advance Eastern Oregon past Oregon Tech in the Cascade Conference Tournament quarterfinals at Les Schwab Sports Park.
The Lady Owls (7-5-4) scored twice inside the final 11 minutes of regulation to tie the score at 2-2 – with the two teams going scoreless during a pair of 10-minute overtime periods – forcing the shootout.
Tech keeper
Sydni Nakamura recorded saves on the Mountaineers (9-3-5) first two attempts, with the Owls
Kayla Ness and
Carly Moss converting from the spot. Tech had a chance to win the shootout, leading 3-1 in the fourth round and 3-2 in the fifth round – but Schei made a diving stop of a
Shalynai Naputi chance and blocked
Ashley Hart's drive toward the left post.
In the sixth round, Emersyn Huett lined a chance off of Nakamura's glove – just inside the left post to give EOU their first lead of the shootout. Schei ended the match, stopping a
Mya Raunig shot to the middle of the goal.
Eastern dominated the first 45 minutes – posting a 12-2 edge in shots – with Kana Mateaki giving the Mounties a lead with a 25-yard blast into the left corner of the net. EOU continued the pressure in the second half – as Emmy Williams hit a one-timer off the left post and Erika Skindlov had a 25-yard drive cleared off the goal line by the OIT defense – with the Mountaineers finally breaking through off a Mateaki 30-yard laser into the top shelf.
OIT got new life in the 80th minute, as
Karly White played a low through-ball to the charging
Brianna Lewis, who touched a 15-yard, left footed shot into the lower right corner of the net.
Two minutes later, an EOU foul gave the Lady Owls a free kick opportunity – with White lining a 30-yard drive through both a Mountie defender and Schei for their equalizing goal. Tech nearly won the match in the final 15 seconds, as Lewis got behind the Eastern defense, but Schei was able to stop a point-blank chance – sending the match into overtime.
EOU finished the match with a 23-9 edge in total shots and a 6-2 edge in corner kicks. Both keepers were outstanding – Nakamura making seven saves, with Schei stopping four shots.
