KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – A physical, back-and-forth battle between rivals Oregon Tech and Southern Oregon swung the way of the visiting Raiders, who outlasted the Hustlin' Owls, 2-0, at the OIT Soccer Field.
SOU (6-0-1, 3-0 CCC) remained unbeaten on the season, thanks to the play of 6-foot-5 centerback Michael Mutchukian, who made the two key plays in the contest.
Tech (3-1-5, 1-1-1) saw an 8-match unbeaten streak snapped, nearly took an early 1-0 lead, as a third-minute header by
Yahir Ramos missed just high.
Five minutes later, the Raiders struck on their only shot on goal of the half, as Ariel De Dios Cruz capitalized on a free kick from just outside the area, hammering a right footed shot into the left corner of the net.
OIT kept the pressure on, as
Raul Arzola had a pair of chances from 25-yards that were stopped by Raiders keeper Daniel Espinoza and a header by
Eric McGuire off a corner kick that missed just high.
The Owls looked to have tied the game in the 41st minute, as following a foul,
Cannon Spooner drilled a free kick off the middle of the crossbar, with the rebounded headed into the goal by
Lucas Kay-Wong. However, Mutchukian, from the middle of the goal, headed the ball out – without the full ball crossing the goal line, keeping SOU on top.
Mutchukian provided an insurance goal in the second half, as a long throw-in from JP Warnell was headed home by the defender, making it 2-0.
Despite a 14-5 edge in shots, the Owls were unable to find the net in a physical match that featured 19 SOU fouls.
Both teams will have home matches next weekend, squaring off against Rocky Mountain and Carroll.
