SPRINGFIELD, Ore. - The Eastern Oregon men's soccer team fell 1-0 to Rocky Mountain in the Cascade Collegiate Conference semifinals presented by U.S. Bank Thursday night.

The loss snaps a six-game win streak for the Mountaineers (11-4-4), and an eight-game unbeaten streak dating back to their Sep. 30 contest with the same Battlin' Bears. The Blue and Gold battled RMC from start to finish, but couldn't find an equalizer after going down 1-0 in the 46th minute.

Falling Thursday night also effectively ends the men's 2018 soccer campaign. The team made a big step this year under new head coach Zach Mills, making the CCC tournament for the first time in the four-year history of the program, and notching their first postseason win amidst a run to the conference semis. Their 11-4-4 record is also the best winning percentage of .684 in program history, tying the 2016 team for the most victories. The team has a lot to build on for the 2019 season. 

The first half was a tough fight for both sides on Thursday night, ending in a scoreless tie. The Mountaineers fired off six shots, and the Battlin' Bears tallied seven of their own. RMC had better opportunities on the attack, recording four corners, three more than EOU was able to create. Goalkeeper Aidan Wright made both of his save opportunities in the first half for EOU,  leaving 45 minutes for a program to punch their ticket to the conference championship.

Rocky Mountain came out with intensity to start the second half, as Marco Kmmerle scored the first and only goal less than one minute into the period. Eastern Oregon hung with the Battlin' Bears all game long, but were unable to come up with a game-tying goal in the final 44 minutes. The team posted a few shots on net, forcing RMC goalie Kristofer Wennin to make seven saves in the shutout.

All-CCC First Team honoree Carlos Solorio led the attack for EOU, accumulating three shots in the game. Forwards Connor Young and Alex Gutierrez also got in on the action, each tallying two shots. Wright finished with five saves in goal. 

With CCC regular season champions Southern Oregon also advancing to the finals, Rocky Mountain earned the conference's second automatic-qualifier to nationals with the victory. They face SOU on Saturday for tournament title.

The Mountaineers enjoyed their best season in program history in 2018, recording 11 wins including a victory over No. 10 Corban, earning the team's first-ever postseason trip and a 2-0 victory over Providence in the CCC Quarterfinals. The team has much to look forward to in the coming years as the 2018 class has set it up for success. 

For more information on Eastern Oregon men's soccer, follow @EOUAthletics or visit eousports.com.

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