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EOU Men's Soccer
NCU Athletics
2
Eastern Oregon EOU (10-8-2)
2
Southern Oregon SORU (13-6-1)
Eastern Oregon EOU
(10-8-2)
2
Final
2
Southern Oregon SORU
(13-6-1)
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 OT 1 OT 2 F
Eastern Oregon EOU 2 0 0 0 2
Southern Oregon SORU 0 2 0 0 2

Game Recap: Men's Soccer | | Iain Dexter, EOU Sports Information Director

Goin’ to the ‘Ship: Men’s Soccer Win 2nd-Straight Shootout to Advance to CCC Finals

SPRINGFIELD, Ore. – The Eastern Oregon men's soccer team is heading to nationals for the first time in program history.
 
In the only way they know how, the Mountaineers won again in dramatic fashion, defeating rival No. 3-seed Southern Oregon in a penalty shootout on Wednesday night in the Cascade Collegiate Conference Championships semifinals, presented by U.S. Bank.
 
Just a night prior, the Mounties needed a heroic comeback in the shootout against Oregon Tech as they trailed 3-1 with just two shooters remaining. Tonight against the Raiders, the shooters made no mistake, scoring on all five shots while SOU made four-of-five. Javier Moran, Joaquin Bermejillo, Jack Rose, Elvis Pavon and Erik Mattice each converted their chances, with Mattice with the game-winner, to send EOU to the tournament finals.
 
With No. 1-seed Corban also reaching the finals, the conference's second automatic qualifier for nationals goes to the Mountie, who reach both the finals and the national tourney for the first time in their young five-year program history.
 
It was another wild game for the Mountaineers as they took a 2-0 lead after halftime, but watched their advantage slip away in the second half with two Southern goals. Both teams had chances to finish the game in regulation or overtime, but neither could find the winning goal.
 
EOU used its momentum from the previous emotional win to jump out to a quick 1-0 lead. In the fifth minute, junior Alexander Zululaga took a pass from senior Elvis Pavon and finished it for the goal and an early spark for the Mountaineers, marking the first goal in program history against the Raiders for EOU in five matches.
 
In the 40th minute, junior Second Team All-CCC selection Erik Mattice took a corner kick that he placed perfectly on the head of junior Patrick Larsen, who angled it past the Southern goalkeeper. Larsen went unmarked on the play, jumping above four SOU defenders as the only player within a few yards of the ball as he caught the Raider defense napping.
 
However, EOU watched their 2-0 lead disappear in the second half as the Raiders put on a relentless attack, outshooting the Mounties 10-1 in the final 45 minutes. SOU got their first goal in the 63th minute to cut the EOU lead to one. Then in the 82nd minute, the Raiders drew a foul in the box, setting up Michael Miller for a penalty kick. Miller laced a perfect shot past goalkeeper Max Rose to tie the game.
 
Rose played another excellent game in net, making eight saves while facing 22 shots total from the Raiders. EOU had just two shots on goal, but made the most of them with the two goals. Zuluaga led the team with three shots while senior Oscar Munoz had two.
 
The game will go officially as a tie against Southern Oregon, and will thus not be the team's first official win against the Raiders. But ultimately, this Mountaineer team won't care what the record book says, other than that they are the first team in program history to make the national tournament.
 
EOU will first go for its first CCC Tournament championship, facing No. 1-seed Corban on Friday at 11 a.m.
 
For more information on Eastern Oregon men's soccer, follow @EOUAthletics or visit eousports.com.
 
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Contact: Iain Dexter; 541-962-3946; idexter@eou.edu
 
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