Surge Lifts Cascade Past Eastern Oregon
PORTLAND, ORE. - The Thunderbird women's soccer team secured a crucial win with a 2-1 decision over Eastern Oregon today at Williams & Smith Field. Cascade is now tied for 3rd place with The College of Idaho in CCC play with two games left on the schedule.
Sandy Hanania blasted a shot past a diving Mountaineer keeper to score the game winner in the 81st minute to keep the T-Birds playoff hopes alive.
Though Cascade led the shot category 8-4 in the first half, it was Eastern Oregon that struck first. After a deflected clear attempt from the T-Bird defense, EOU's Lauren Souza placed a nice shot over a leaping Valerie Perez to give the visitors the early lead.
After the break, Cascade elevated their intensity and generated several scroring chances with the equalizer coming in the 68th minute. After a free kick, Alisha Butler tapped home a point blank try that Nicole Wheeler dug out of the crowd in front of the goal.
The closing minutes were exciting as Eastern's Tennly Paul-Bowden cracked two shots that were turned away by Perez, and Cascade nearly put in a 3rd goal after the Mounties conceded several fouls in their defensive end.
The College of Idaho visits Cascade tomorrow at 3pm, with both teams tied at 4-2-2 in CCC play.