Yotes Sneak Past SOU
ASHLAND, Ore. – The Southern Oregon women’s soccer team played host to Albertson College on Friday afternoon, dropping a 1-0 decision to the ‘Yotes. ACI was able to earn its first win of the Cascade Conference season, while handing the Raiders their first loss in CCC play. The match was the 11th meeting between the two teams and put ACI ahead in the team series, 6-5.
With both teams playing exceptionally hard until the very end of the game, the ‘Yotes (4-3-2, 1-0-2) snuck past the Raiders (4-4-1, 1-1) with a single goal. Forward Jamie Reichel managed a goal with 5:32 remaining in the first half to give the ‘Yotes the advantage going into the break. Reichel’s goal was scored after she dribbled in towards the goal box, and shot just to the left of SOU goalkeeper Melanie Hopkin’s (Salt Lake City, Utah) reach.
Although Albertson won the game, on paper the outcome could have looked much different. The Raiders outshot the ‘Yotes 16-8 throughout the game, firing eight shots on goal while Albertson tallied only four. The Raiders also had the advantage of a 6-1 margin in corner kicks, helping to strengthen the SOU offense. In the second half the Raiders’ level of play was turned up a notch, looking as if they could score to tie the game. Auika Muragin (Koloa, Hawaii), who tallied five shots on the day to lead the Raiders, had a couple of near goals which ACI’s Amy Rhoades was able to clear. Muragin also tallied a team high of three shots on goal.
Sara Switzer (Redondo Beach, Calif.) and Justina MacDowell (Bellevue, Wash.) also helped to put pressure on the ‘Yotes, firing four shots each. Hopkins was able to tally three saves on the day in her 90 minutes in goal.
ACI’s Leah Roach led the team in shots with three, while Mandy Greif and Reichel each notched two shots on the day. Rhoades racked up eight saves on the day to secure the ACI win.
The ‘Yotes will travel to Oregon Tech on Saturday while the Raiders remain at home and play host to Eastern Oregon University. SOU’s game is slated for a 3 p.m. start time on its own University Field.