KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – Gracie Clarkson converted a penalty kick in the 63rd minute and withstood a pair of late chances from Oregon Tech, as Rocky Mountain claimed a 1-0 victory over the Lady Owls at the OIT Soccer Field.
Rocky (4-0-4, 2-0-2 CCC) remained unbeaten on the season, using a 15-4 edge in total shots, but were unable to figure out Tech in the run of play, as keeper
Elle Hillar made five saves to keep her side in the contest.
The Battlin' Bears recorded eight first half shots, but Hillar made three key saves – including stops of Emma Clark and Charlize Davis in the 30th minute – to keep the score even. The Lady Owls (4-5, 1-3) nearly took the lead in the 35th minute, as
Caitlyn Price rocked an unmarked 20-yard shot just above the crossbar.
After Molly Laughton had a header off a long cross clang off the crossbar six minutes into the second half, RMC was able to capitalize after Davis was clipped by a Tech defender on a run in the box, setting up Clarkson, who lined the penalty off the outstretched hand of Hillar and into the right corner of the net for the 1-0 lead.
OIT put pressure on over the final 15 minutes, as a
Ramera Bradley 20-yard blast from the middle of the field was redirected away by a diving Matea Vernon, with Vernon stopping a near-post drive from
Makahl Chambers with four minutes left to claim the shutout.
Tech finished the match with a 4-1 edge in corners, with the teams combining for 22 fouls.
The Lady Owls look to get back in the win column tomorrow, hosting Carroll College at 12 p.m.
