ASHLAND, Ore. - Evergreen State and Northwest are scheduled to pay weekend visits to Ashland, meeting a Southern Oregon University soccer team that totes a 2-1 Cascade Conference mark and fresh off what head coach Jon Clement called a “thrilling” win over Eastern Oregon.
A day after falling 1-0 at the College of Idaho, the result of a Coyotes goal with seven seconds remaining, Southern Oregon (4-7, 2-1) salvaged a road split with a 2-1 triumph in La Grande.
“It wasn’t exactly pretty,” Clement said. “But all things considered, it was a very resolute effort and good to see the result.”
Denise Powell struck first for the Raiders in the win and sophomore Chelsie O’Neill tacked on the game-winning goal in the 57th minute, while each became the first Raiders to hit the two-goal mark this year.
Freshman Jessica Kuehlwien had nine saves in the effort and now ranks third among conference keepers with a .798 save percentage.
Evergreen State (2-8-1, 1-4) enters the weekend following an 11-1 setback at the hands of conference juggernaut Concordia, but earned their first loop win at Cascade on Friday. Kate Green leads the team with five goals and one assist on the season.
The Geoducks dropped Southern Oregon 2-0 a year ago, and the Raiders have gone winless against the Olympia, Wash. school since 2003, two of the contests ending in scoreless ties.
Northwest (4-3-2, 3-2) has lost each of their only two meetings with the Raiders, including a 3-0 game last season, but currently has a fourth-best nine points in league play.
Britannique Clayberg paces the Eagles with two goals and three assists, and Brittney Marshall has three goals on only nine shots.
“We’re expecting two very difficult games, and we’re anxious to get another bite of the cherry,” Clement said. “Each team is a different challenge, but we’re capable and looking forward to a fun home weekend.”
Friday’s contest against Eastern Oregon is set for 1 p.m., and the Raiders will host Northwest at noon on Saturday. On Saturday, fans are encouraged to wear Black to take part in Saturday’s “Blackout”.