Owls Kick Past Beacons 2-1 to End Season
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – Luis Valdez scored the game winner and assisted on Oregon Tech’s first goal leading the Owls to a 2-1 Cascade Collegiate Conference victory over Northwest Christian University Saturday afternoon at Trevor Derrah Field. Tech’s season ends with a record of 1-13 in CCC play and 1-17 on the season. Northwest Christian finishes its year at 4-12-2 on the season and 3-10-1 in CCC play.
After finding out earlier in the week that Oregon Tech had to forfeit its only two wins of the season, the Hustlin’ Owls men’s soccer team played with heart and desire to pick up its only official win on the season’s final day.
Casey Oltman gave the large home crowd something to cheer about early taking a Valdez cross and scoring in the 19th minute giving Tech the early 1-0 lead.
Shortly after the halftime break, Valdez was at it again, this time scoring the eventual game winner in the 52nd minute off a nicely placed cross from Brian Stinchcomb. Valdez settled the ball and ripped the shot into the lower right corner of the goal.
The Beacons would rally; Brandon Lotts finished a Zeph Hollins corner kick that was deflected off the head/shoulder of teammate Steve Jusko. Lotts settled the deflection and scored from 12 feet out to cut the Tech lead to 2-1 in the 65th minute.
The Oregon Tech defense re-organized, and behind several nice saves from Keeper Kurtis Pipkin, preserved the 2-1 win.
For the game Tech held a slight 7-6 edge in shots on goal with the Beacons having a 19-14 edge intotal shots.
Northwest Christian was whistled for being offside 7 times and held a 8-2 advantage in corner kicks.