MEDFORD, Ore. – Eastern Oregon women's soccer is moving on. The Mounties struck early and held strong down the stretch, defeating Oregon Tech 3–2 in the Cascade Collegiate Conference Tournament quarterfinals on Saturday afternoon at Lithia & Driveway Fields.
Eastern exploded for three goals in the opening 14 minutes, then fended off Oregon Tech to earn their spot in the CCC semifinals.
The Mounties wasted no time getting on the board. In the sixth minute, Ashley Smith found the back of the net for her fourth goal of the season, capitalizing on a loose ball after a corner kick to make it 1–0. The Owls answered just 16 seconds later when Kaelin Ness, assisted by Ryane Mattox, leveled the match at 1–1.
Eastern regained control in the 11th minute when Karina DeYoung won a ball over the top of the Owls' back line from
Sydney Peck, touching it around the keeper and dribbling it into the back of the net for her third goal of the year. Moments later,
Carly Imes doubled the lead, finishing a loose ball in the box in the 14th minute and pushing EOU ahead 3–1.
Oregon Tech benefited from an own goal in the 17th minute to trim the margin to one, but that was as close as the Owls would get. The Mountie defense, anchored by goalkeeper Rylee Schei, locked in for the remainder of the contest. Schei finished with five saves to improve to 8–2–1 on the season.
Eastern outshot Oregon Tech 16–7, including a 7–2 edge in shots on goal. Elle Hillar recorded four saves for the Owls, who conclude their season at 10–6–3.
With the win, the Mounties advance to the CCC semifinals, where they'll face Southern Oregon at 1 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 10.
