MESA, Ariz. – Oregon Tech used an offensive onslaught in the second half to break open a close match, as the Lady Owls remained unbeaten with a 5-1 victory over Park Gilbert at the Arizona Athletic Grounds.
OIT (2-0) scored two goals in the opening 10 minutes to take an early lead, while scoring three second half goals – with seven of their 10 shots in the final 45 minutes on frame – to claim the win.
"We started quickly with a lot of energy," said Lady Owls head coach
Tom Moore. "We had a lull midway through the first half, but picked up the intensity in the second half. We scored some quality goals."
Kaelin Ness scored an unassisted goal in the eighth minute to stake the Owls out to an early lead, while two minutes later, Ness played a perfect ball to
Solei Elletson, who knocked home the counter for a 2-0 lead.
The Bucs (1-1) cut the margin to 2-1 in the 21st minute, as a Marissa Pond corner was touched to Mikensie Kulich who found Bekah Sipinga, who touched home the winner.
After the break, it was all OIT.
Miranda Valle started the onslaught in the 58th minute, making a 30-yard run and slotting home a low shot. In the 74th minute,
Caitlyn Price got into the act, finishing a pretty pass from
Ryane Mattox. Tech capped the scoring in the final two minutes, capitalizing on an own goal.
OIT finished the night with a 15-8 edge in total shots and a 5-3 edge in corner kicks.
Tech will have Friday off in preparation for a Saturday showdown with No. 17-ranked Embry-Riddle.
