PUYALLUP, Wash. – Despite playing a man-down for the final 59 minutes, Oregon Tech punched their ticket to the postseason with a late Cash Cota goal, as the Hustlin' Owls grinded their way to a 1-0 victory over Evergreen State at the Washington Premier FC Complex.
 
The win by OIT (8-6-3, 5-4-3 CCC), coupled with a Corban loss to Rocky Mountain, secures the Owls either the No. 7 or No. 8 seed into the Cascade Conference Championships – the eighth-straight postseason appearance by the club.
 
"Going down a man is never ideal, but the adjustments were made and they stuck to the game plan and trusted the process," said OIT head coach Sean McManamon – who became the Owls all-time leader in wins with 32. "We were very disciplined and took our chances – I am very proud of the resilience."
 
Tech had a chance early to take a lead, but a fifth-minute strike from Merrick Tambio clanged off the post. A hard tackle in the 31st minute by the Owls drew the straight red card – forcing the visitors to play 10-on-11 for the remainder of the match. Despite the disadvantage, OIT finished with a 19-9 edge in shots.
 
The Owls broke through inside the final 10 minutes, as a shot from Wolfgang Alvarado was blocked by Geoducks (3-11-1, 3-8-1) Brendan Gribek, but Cota pounced on the rebound at the foot of the 6-yard-box, knocking home the game-winner.
 
Keeper Ryan Solis faced nine shots, but only one on frame in picking up his fifth shutout win of the season.
 
OIT closes out the regular-season tomorrow, traveling to Northwest University.