MEDFORD, Ore. – Henry Lopez and
Kevin Pullara delivered standout performances Monday night to lead the No. 4-seeded Eastern Oregon University men's soccer team to a 3-1 victory over No. 7-seeded Oregon Tech in the Cascade Collegiate Conference Tournament semifinals at Wheeler Field. With the win, the Mountaineers advance to Wednesday's championship match, moving one step closer to securing an automatic berth to the NAIA Men's Soccer National Championship.
Eastern Oregon (8-3-6. 6-2-4) set the tone early, creating opportunities while Pullara kept Oregon Tech off the scoreboard with several key saves. After facing pressure from the Owls throughout the opening half, the Mountaineers broke through in the 40th minute.
Lopez opened the scoring at 39:30, finishing a chance inside the box off an assist from
Jeff Jaimes to give EOU a 1-0 advantage. The Mountaineers carried that lead into halftime, with Pullara making three first-half saves to preserve the shutout.
EOU came out strong after the break and quickly extended its advantage. In the 57th minute, Lopez struck again, finishing a long through ball from Jaimes with a shot from 12 yards out to put the Mountaineers ahead 2-0.
Just over three minutes later, Eastern Oregon added another goal. Lopez set up
Tyler Axel for a finish inside the box, giving the Mountaineers a commanding 3-0 lead and put them firmly in control of the semifinal matchup.
Oregon Tech continued to push offensively, looking to work its way back into the contest. Pullara remained steady in goal, making several more stops, including a save on a penalty kick in the 82nd minute. The Owls' Cash Cota was able to collect the rebound and find the net to cut the deficit to 3-1.
The Mountaineers held their ground over the final minutes, with Pullara making additional saves to keep Oregon Tech from gaining any further momentum. Eastern Oregon closed out the 3-1 victory to punch their ticket to the CCC Tournament Championship.
Lopez led the Mountaineer attack with two goals and an assist, recording three shots on goal. Jaimes contributed two assists, while Axel added a goal. Pullara was instrumental defensively, finishing with seven saves across 90 minutes in goal.
Oregon Tech finished with a 20-12 advantage in total shots, but Eastern Oregon made the most of its opportunities, putting six shots on target and converting three into goals. Pullara's seven saves helped anchor the Mountaineer defense throughout the contest.
With the semifinal victory, Eastern Oregon advances to face No. 3-seeded Southern Oregon University in the CCC Tournament Championship on Wednesday, November 11, at 1 p.m. PT.
The Mountaineers will look to carry their momentum into the championship matchup as they compete for their second conference tournament title and the CCC's second automatic bid to the NAIA Men's Soccer National Championship. A victory would secure EOU's place on the national stage.
