KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – Oregon Tech used a stifling defensive effort, while making the most of their opportunities in the offensive third, as the Hustlin' Owls opened Cascade Conference play with a dominant 4-1 victory over Northwest University.
 
OIT (3-0-3, 1-0) did not allow a shot attempt in the opening half, limiting the Eagles to four total shots on the afternoon.
 
After missing a penalty kick chance inside the first 15 minutes, the Owls struck twice late in the period. In the 30th minute, Sylver Schweiger played a 40-yard angled cross from the midfield stripe to a charging Reece Fletcher down the right side – ripping a one-time shot into the left corner of the net.
 
Moments later, a defensive miscue by the Eagles (3-2-1, 0-1) just outside the box allowed Kasey Smith to capitalize – jumping on the loose ball and looping a 25-yard strike into the top shelf.
 
Tech made it 3-0 in the 58th minute, as a handball by the Eagles off a Tech corner kick allowed Dalton Rideout to slot home a goal from the penalty spot.
 
NU broke through in the 78th minute on a 25 yard laser by Joao Fonseca, but OIT returned the favor in the waning moments, as an Anthony Aguiar-Casillas corner was headed home by Schweiger.
 
The Owls finished with a 13-4 edge in shots, while NU had a staggering 18-4 edge in fouls.
 
OIT puts a 6-match unbeaten streak on the line Saturday, hosting Evergreen State at 2:30 p.m.