LA GRANDE, Ore. – Eastern Oregon University Men's Soccer dropped a 2-0 contest on Sunday afternoon inside Community Stadium as the Mountaineers fell in their Cascade Collegiate Conference opener to Rocky Mountain College (Mont.). With the loss EOU sits at 1-3 overall and starts CCC east Division play 0-1.
 
How it Happened
• The Battlin' Bears (1-0, 1-0 CCC) were able to find the back of the net twice thanks in part to 15 shot attempts, with seven coming on goal. The Mountaineers finished with nine shots and had two come on goal, but were held to just one in the first period.
• Both teams came out playing well on defense as the game was scoreless until the final 3:30 of play in the first period. Rocky Mountain had the chance to go up 1-0 midway through the period as the team found the back of the net but it was waived off due to an offside call.
• The Battlin' Bears first goal of the contest came in the 42nd minute as they got down deep into the right side of the penalty area. A short cross into the right side allowed for a Bears player to make the sliding kick into the right end of the net to give Rocky Mountain the 1-0 edge.
• Rocky Mountain held the 1-0 lead going into the halftime break and managed to maintain it for the majority until making it 2-0 in the 64th minute. Eastern found a better rhythm on offense in the second period outshooting Rocky Mountain 8-6, but was unable to net a goal.
• For the Battlin' Bears, their second goal came on a penalty kick as EOU was called for a yellow card just inside the penalty box. The goal came with 26:52 to play in regulation which allowed EOU to threaten and possibly get back into the game.
• Rocky Mountain managed to hold on for the shutout win but the game was a battle from beginning to finish. Both teams played aggressively as there were 30 foul calls made in the contest. EOU committed 18 compared 12 by the Battlin' Bears.
 
Mountaineers Stat Leaders
• Rudy Salinas-Solorio took the most shots finishing with three for the game.
• Jorge Medina had two shots with one coming on goal.
• Patrick Larsen was able to put up two shots in the game and had one on goal.
• Dillon Van Rensburg also finished with two shots in the contest.
• In net, Max Rose tallied five saves in the loss.
 
For the Battlin' Bears
• Igor Soares took a game-high four shots and had two come on goal. He scored the first goal, which was the gamewinner.
• Milo Downey had just one shot for the contest on the penalty kick and scored the other goal.
• Chase Cstro and Ethan Boone each took shots. Castro had both come on goal, while Boone had one.
• Goalkeeper, Ryan Cornwall played all 90 minutes in net and had two saves in the win.
 
By the Numbers
7 – With the loss on Sunday, EOU has now dropped its last seven matchups against Rocky Mountain.
30 – The Mounties and Battlin' Bears committed 30 combined fouls in Sunday's contest.
8 – A total of eight yellow cards were handed out between the two squads.
5 – The five saves by Max Rose ties a season-high.
 
Up Next
• The Mountaineers and Battlin' Bears will square once again tomorrow afternoon (Monday). Game time is set for 1:30 p.m. PT inside Community Stadium.

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