Oregon Tech Men’s Soccer Hands Nationally Ranked No.11 Corban First Loss of Season
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – On Saturday afternoon, the Oregon Tech men’s soccer team stepped on to the pitch to take on nationally ranked No.11 Corban University. Both teams entered the contest with a record of 3-0 and looking to remain undefeated in CCC play.
From the first whistle, Oregon Tech was off to a busy start attacking the Corban back line and hitting the first 5 shots of the game, forcing Corban goalkeeper, Jordan Farr, to stay on his toes. In the 16th minute, Oregon Tech forward Lodewijk Bloemzaad would receive a long pass from center midfielder Lucas Hale, putting Bloemzaad in behind the Corban back line. Bloemzaad picked his head up just in time to see Farr charging outside of his goal box and struck a low driven shot beyond the outstretched goalkeeper’s leg and into the back of the net, giving Oregon Tech an early 1-0 lead.
The remainder of the first half would see both Corban and Oregon Tech finding opportunities to challenge the goalkeepers, including two breakaway saves by Farr on Oregon Tech forward Trinidad Flores. The first half would come to a close with the score line remaining 1-0 Tech.
The second half kicked off with Corban seeking the game tying goal and putting the Oregon Tech defense under considerable pressure. Corban’s attacks would lead to five shots before the Warriors would level the score. In the 68th minute, Armando Guevera sent a corner kick into the 18 that was knocked around in the mix. Corban forward Nic Farr was able to gather the ball and find a lay pass to teammate Rolando Velazquez open on top of the 18. Velazquez was able to strike his shot on his first touch, sending the ball to the upper right corner away from Tech Keeper Dino Rozac, bringing the score line level at 1-1.
The Owls, determined to not let the game get away, ramped up their energy on both sides of the ball, finding five shots in the following 12 minutes, while keeping the Corban attackers held to zero shots in the same time. In the 80th minute, Tech freshman forward Emil Brown was able to slip a ball to teammate Leonardo Alonzo, who had enough space to crack a shot over the outstretched Corban goalkeepers hand and into the net for the go-ahead and game winning goal. Tech would close out the game not allowing the Warriors another shot for the final ten minutes of the contest.
Coach Munhall adds, “Our guys played with a lot of confidence today. They did not back down from a tough opponent and showed character after Corban tied the game. It was a real team effort with our backline having their hands defending our net. We are still a young team and need to continue proving who we are and want to be at each contest. There is still much of the season to be played and we still have many strong opponents to face. The work does not stop here.”
The Owls extend their winning streak to 4 games, the longest winning streak in program history, while posting a 7-1-1 record on the season and 4-0 in the CCC. Corban sits 7-1 on the season and 3-1 in CCC play. Corban falls to 8-1 on the season and 3-1 in CCC play.