KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – Facing a potential winner-take-all match-up with Walla Walla, Oregon Tech used a second half scoring flurry and a stellar defensive effort to blank the Wolves, 3-0, clinching a berth to the Cascade Conference Men's Soccer Championships.
Tech (6-5-7, 4-5-3 CCC) earned the No. 7 seed in the 8-team tournament – which begins next Saturday – meeting Carroll College in the quarterfinals at 4 p.m.
With the winner securing a bid, the Owls came out the aggressor, recording a 12-1 edge in first half shots, but Wolves (3-9-3, 3-6-3) keeper Sabas Vargas turned away all four shots on frame.
The flow changed in the 59th minute, as Tech earned a man-advantage after a red card sent off a WWU player and following a foul just outside the area –
Yahir Ramos hit a low drive into the top right corner of the net for the 1-0 lead.
The Owls doubled the lead in the 70th minute as a tackle in the box gave the hosts a chance from the spot, as
Cash Cota drove the attempt into the net for a 2-0 lead. Tech put the game on ice in the 78th minute as a handball in the box earned a second penalty, with Cota completing the brace with the finish.
OIT finished with a 23-3 edge in shot attempts, including 11 on frame, with Vargas making eight saves.
