LA GRANDE, Ore. – The EOU men's soccer team gave Rocky Mountain everything it could handle, but a penalty kick goal early in the second half was ultimately the deciding factor in a 1-0 loss on Friday evening at the EOU Soccer Field.
 
A battle for possession was the story in the opening stanza for both teams. Just about equally shared, it wasn't until the 43rd minute when senior keeper Alfredo Lara registered his first save. Nolan Sherwood of Rocky Mountain (8-3-1, 6-1-1 CCC) created separation with skillful dibbling and fired a shot inside the 18-yard box. Lara came off his line and got both gloves on the ball for the denial. Closing the first half, EOU (8-5-1, 3-5-1 CCC) outshot the Battlin' Bears, 5-4, despite not having any on goal.
 
Controversy emerged in the 57th minute as a Rocky Mountain player made his run on the wing and the linesman raised his flag for the offside call. The head official did not see the call, and as the play continued on, freshman midfielder Jorge Chavez was given a yellow card for a foul in the box. The ensuing minute, Luca Weichers capitalized on the penalty kick goal to give Rocky Mountain a 1-0 lead.
 
Looking for a final chance to equalize the game, junior forward Julian Wells found himself inside the five-yard box and struck a righted-footed shot, only to ricochet off the post with two seconds left in regulation.
 
Lara finished the match with two saves in the losing effort.
 
BY THE NUMBERS
13 – Shots for EOU, with three coming on frame.
5TH – One-goal loss for the Mountaineers.
 
UP NEXT
The Blue and Gold returns to the pitch tomorrow against College of Idaho. Kickoff in La Grande is set for 3:30 p.m.