LA GRANDE, Ore. – The EOU men's soccer team yielded a goal with less than four minutes left in the opening half, and the Mountaineers ultimately dropped a 1-0 decision to Oregon Tech on Friday afternoon in its home opener.

The Blue and Gold (6-3-1, 1-3-1 CCC) had its chances to capitalize early against Oregon Tech (8-1-1, 5-0 CCC). In the fifth minute, freshman forward Daniel Silva drove a corner kick into the box, which found the head of sophomore forward Elvis Pavon, only to have the ball hit off the top crossbar.

In the 40th minute, junior forward Tyler Hoiem almost tallied for EOU, as he curled one over the top of the keeper's head from 15 yards out.

Just as the first stanza was coming to an end, the Owls capitalized to take a 1-0 lead. In the 42nd minute, Michael Page crossed one into the back post for the Austin Schoenmann tally.

Looking to tie the game at one apiece, the closest opportunity for the Mountaineers came in the 78th minute. After a cross found the five-yard box, freshman forward Micah Hill put a boot on the rebound, but Oregon Tech's keeper was there for his fifth save of the game.

"Micah Hill came in and gave the team a lot of energy in the second half," said head coach Stan Rodrigues.

In total, EOU outshot the Owls 15-10. The Blue and Gold launched five shots on goal.

Senior keeper Alfredo Lara finished the match with two saves in the losing effort.

BY THE NUMBERS
4 – Corner kicks for EOU.
15 – Shots for the Blue and Gold, five of which came on frame.
 
UP NEXT
The Mountaineers return to the pitch tomorrow to face Southern Oregon. Kickoff in La Grande is set for 1 p.m.