Tech's Krystal Foster Scored her 4th Goal of the year to Lead Oregon Tech Past Simpson (Photo by Kelly Caleb)
Oregon Tech Slips Past Simpson 2-0
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore - For the second time in three days, two second-half goals powered Oregon Tech to a non-league women's soccer victory. Tuesday, in the Hustlin' Owls' home opener, Krystal Foster scored off a header from a nice centering pass early in the second half to give OIT the lead against Simpson University. Kaila Dillon later scored on a booming, 38-yard shot to all but seal the win.After the second goal, OIT had a quick mental letdown and the Red Hawks from Redding had a couple of chances to score, but thwarted themselves once and misfired wide on another attempt.
"We didn't play well again," OIT coach Bryan Mueller said. "I guess that's good when you don't play well and win," he added after the Hustlin' Owls upped their season record to 4-0. "We got talked to pretty good at halftime," Brooke Cole said. "We don't want that to happen again." Cole assisted on Foster's goal and took most of OIT's corner kicks. "I didn't factor in the win," Cole said. The indirect kick to led to Foster's goal, however, was a brilliant pass. "Basically, I tried to put some back spin on (the ball), and chipped it," Cole said. "I tried to pick out a white (shirt, which OIT was wearing), and Krystal was there." Foster headed the ball into the net. "I said at halftime that I'd score a goal in the second half," Foster said. "It was a matter of getting to (the ball) before anyone else did. The ball bounced and I got to it before the goalkeeper did."
OIT came out sluggish and played a lackluster first half. Part of the could have had to do with the team having sat through two intense talks with Bruce Brown, who talked about redefining the term athlete and trust. Lunch was in between the two talks, which ended about an hour before OIT had to be at Steen Sports Park for the match. "It was a good thing for us before this game," Foster said. "We needed it for our team unity." "We needed it, but it was a little tough," Cole said. "We didn't come out as hard as we could have." Mueller agreed, but was happy with the win for the Hustlin' Owls, who will host Pacific University at 4 p.m. Saturday and then travel to Redding next Tuesday for a rematch with the Red Hawks.