FOREST GROVE, Ore. – Miranda Valle broke a scoreless tie with a goal in the 63rd minute, as Oregon Tech gave new head coach Tom Moore his first win at the helm, a 2-0 victory over Pacific University at Hanson Stadium.
 
The Lady Owls (1-1-1) ended a 243-minute scoring drought with the second half goal, while the OIT defense earned their second-straight clean sheet.
 
"The game showed we can mentally and physically compete throughout 90 minutes," Moore said. "Like our August games, some things were good and others were still a work in progress. I am really happy for the girls, that they were rewarded for their hard work."
 
The Division III Boxers (0-1), making their 2023 debut, had an 8-5 edge in first half shots, but Tech keeper Sydni Nakamura made three of her match-high five saves in the period – as the teams took a 0-0 score into the break.
 
OIT broke through midway through the second half, as transfer Kayla Ness played a ball to Valle, who slotted home her first collegiate goal, giving the visitors the lead. The score would remain 1-0 until the waning moments, when Shalynai Naputi got loose and lined an unassisted goal into the net inside the final minute.
 
Both teams finished with 11 total shots, while a physical OIT team had a 13-7 edge in fouls.
 
"It's on to conference play and I'm hoping this game has pushed us to the next level of our learning process in preparation for a tough season ahead," Moore said.
 
OIT will have next week off before a Cascade Conference opening road trip to Portland, facing Multnomah and Warner Pacific.