Tech's No. 21 Dustin Hirata had a Goal in 2-2 Tie (Photo by Kelly Caleb)
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. -- Oregon Tech and Warner Pacific played to a 2-2 tie Wednesday night at Trevor Derrah Field in one of the most evenly played games of the year in the Cascade Conference. Both keepers made late saves in overtime to preserve the tie as Oregon Tech moves to 4-9-1 on the season and 2-7-1 in CCC play with Warner Pacific moving to 7-4-2 and 5-3-2 in CCC play.
Oregon Tech broke the scoreless tie in the 18th minute as Dustin Hirata chipped in a shot after a Warner Pacific foul on a direct kick to give the Hustlin’ Owls a 1-0 lead.
Warner Pacific tied the game at 1-1 with just 26 seconds left before half when Jameson Jones took a loose ball and shot a rocket low and hard from 30 yards out that found the back of the net.
Just 13 seconds later Oregon Tech took the lead back when Hector Jimenez took a cross and scored from 15 yards out to give OIT a 2-1 lead. Jimmy Merkley and Victor Corona were both credited with an assist on the play with just 13 seconds left on the clock before half.
Warner Pacific then forced overtime when Alija Sacirovic took a Almir Celebic cross and volleyed it in for the tying goal in the 69th minute.
In the 1st overtime, Oregon Tech seemed to dominate play, holding a 3 shot to 0 advantage in shots but could not find the net.
In the 2nd overtime, both teams had opportunities but great keeper play on both ends kept the match at a 2-2 tie as the match ended.
The match had a total 50 shots, 28 for Tech and 22 for the Knights. Warner Pacific held an 11-8 advantage in shots on goal.
Oregon Tech Goalie Tanner Lee had 9 saves in the game with his counterpart Drew Bonifacio grabbing 6 saves for Warner Pacific.
The match featured 12 corner kicks with Tech taking 8 of them. Warner Pacific was whistled for 13 fouls and 1 yellow card with Oregon Tech being called for 9 fouls and 2 yellow cards.
Oregon Tech will next host College of Idaho (5-8-1, 4-5-1 CCC) this Saturday, October 22 at 4:00pm on Trevor Derrah Field.