MEDFORD, Ore. – For the second straight match, Eastern Oregon women's soccer delivered under pressure. The Mounties battled Southern Oregon through 110 scoreless minutes before emerging victorious, 4–2, in a penalty shootout to advance to the Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) Tournament championship.
With the win, EOU (14-4-2) moves on to the CCC title match for the first time since 2019.
Both sides traded chances in a hard-fought defensive battle. Eastern outshot Southern 13–9 and held a 4–3 edge in corner kicks, but neither team could break through in regulation or the two overtime periods.
Goalkeeper Madeline Barker anchored the Mountie defense with four saves across 110 minutes of play, while Brittany Standley recorded four saves for the Raiders.
The match came down to penalties, where the Mounties showed composure from the spot. Peyton Jacaway,
Jillian Brown,
Ashley Smith, and
Holly Dorhauer all converted their kicks, while
Rylee Schei stepped up to deny two Southern Oregon attempts. Eastern took the shootout, 4–2, to secure the victory and a berth in the final.
The Mounties will now face College of Idaho in the CCC Championship match on Wednesday, Nov. 12, with kickoff set for 11 a.m. at Lithia & Driveway Fields. With College of Idaho earning the conference's automatic qualifier to the NAIA National Tournament, Eastern also secures a bid to nationals.
For the first time since 2020, Eastern has earned its way back to the national tournament. It also marks the first time since 2019 that both Mountie men's and women's teams have earned bids to the NAIA Tournament.
