KIRKLAND, Wash. – Playing a man-down for the final 36 minutes of the contest, Oregon Tech turned in a gritty defensive performance to remain unbeaten on the season, stopping Northwest University, 2-1, at the NU Soccer Field.
The Hustlin Owls (3-0-5, 1-0-1 CCC) established a new school-record by running their season-opening unbeaten streak to eight, making two first half goals stand up.
Tech dominated the run of play in the opening 45 minutes, taking all 13 shot attempts in the period.
Merrick Tambio was robbed of a second minute goal by the right post, but two minutes later, the Owls struck off a long throw-in by
Sammy Villalta, as
Eric McGuire headed the ball to the back post, finding the head of
Yahir Ramos, who touched the ball into the net.
Cash Cota made it 2-0 in the 33rd minute, as he was the benefactor of a great defensive play by
Kasey Smith – stealing the ball in the defensive third, playing a quick ball to Cota, who beat Eagles (2-3-1, 0-2) keeper Bailey Hopkins on a 25-yard low liner inside the right post.
NU found their rhythm after the Owls went down a man, recording a 10-1 edge in shots over the final 36 minutes. Ben Toscano hit a post for the Eagles in the 73rd minute, while in the 77th minute, OIT keeper
Noah Harwood made back-to-back key saves to keep the hosts off the board.
The Eagles avoided the shutout in the 85th minute as a thru-ball to Matthew Ludlow ended with a 20-yard strike to the upper left corner of the net. NU had a final chance to tie in the last 30 seconds but were not able to capitalize on a corner kick.
OIT finished with a 15-10 edge in shots, with the teams combining for 30 fouls in a physical contest.
The Owls return to the Basin for their next three matches, beginning Friday against Southern Oregon.
