LA GRANDE, Ore. – Eastern Oregon University Men's Soccer came up short Saturday evening, falling 1-0 to (RV) Carroll College at Community Stadium after the Saints scored in the 79th minute to secure the Cascade Collegiate Conference victory.
Carroll applied early pressure, with Pedro Teixeira forcing Eastern Oregon goalkeeper
Kevin Pullara into a save just four minutes into the match. The Saints earned two early corner kicks as they looked to establish control, but the Mountaineers settled in defensively and kept Carroll off the scoreboard through the first half. Eastern Oregon worked to create opportunities of its own, earning corner kicks and making substitutions to generate momentum, but the teams entered halftime scoreless.
The Mountaineers came out with greater offensive urgency after the break, looking to break the deadlock. Carroll threatened early in the second half, but Eastern Oregon gradually built its attack.
Taylor Pierce forced a save from Saints goalkeeper Noah Jordan in the 61st minute, and
Lance Nelson followed with two shots on target within seconds of each other in the 65th minute. EOU continued to press, earning consecutive corner kicks and creating another opportunity through
Henry Lopez, whose shot was stopped by the Carroll defense. Pierce sent another attempt wide, while
Njabulo Nkosi had a shot blocked as the Mountaineers continued searching for the opening goal.
Christian Samayoa also sent a shot wide in the 77th minute as Eastern Oregon looked to capitalize on its growing offensive pressure.
Despite the Mountaineers' push, Carroll found the breakthrough in the 79th minute. Sean Balen set up Arnaldo Primera, who finished the opportunity to give the Saints a 1-0 lead with just over 11 minutes remaining. Eastern Oregon continued to fight for an equalizer in the closing minutes.
JJ Gallardo put a shot on target in the 87th minute, but Jordan made the save to preserve Carroll's advantage. The Saints held on through the final whistle to hand the Mountaineers a narrow home defeat.
The match finished evenly at eight shots apiece, but Eastern Oregon held a 5-2 advantage in shots on goal. Both teams also recorded five corner kicks, while each side was called for nine fouls. Jordan helped preserve the shutout for Carroll, while Pullara recorded one save for the Mountaineers.
With the loss, Eastern Oregon falls to 2-3-5 overall and 2-2-3 in CCC play. Carroll improves to 5-4-2 overall and 4-2-1 in conference action. The Mountaineers return to the road Friday, October 16, to face Southern Oregon University in Ashland, Oregon. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. PT.
