Raiders cap regular season with 2-0 defeat of Saints

10/28/2017 11:16:00 PM

SOU Sports Information

ASHLAND – Southern Oregon University seniors Jacqueline Laird and Kelsey Randall went out in style in their final showing at Raider Stadium, a 2-0 victory Saturday night against the Carroll (Mont.) Saints.

After tallying in Friday's win over Providence, Randall struck once more in the 13th minute against the Saints – receiving a cross from Mia Volpatti on an advantage that set up an 8-yard shot from the right side to the left post. Randall returned the favor in the 54th minute with a pass to Volpatti inside the box. After putting a few moves on the Saints defense, Volpatti converted a short strike to put the Raiders firmly in control.

Laird anchored a defense that notched SOU's sixth shutout of the season while allowing Carroll to put just three shots on goal, each of which were handled by keeper Hannah Ceciliani.

At 10-7 overall with a final CCC record of 7-4, the Raiders will take the No. 5 seed to the conference tournament, which begins Friday in Springfield. They'll take on fourth-seeded Corban in the quarterfinal round. SOU defeated the Warriors in the regular-season matchup, 1-0 on Sept. 30 in Salem. 

Carroll, which had won the last two conference titles, ended its season at 7-8-2 and 3-6-2 in the circuit. Eastern Oregon became the new CCC champion, clinching the conference's first automatic bid to the NAIA Championships.

Randall's goal was her sixth of the season and Volpatti's was her fifth. The Raiders have won 13 consecutive home games in which they've scored multiple goals.

The win was their first-ever in the all-time series with Carroll in eight tries.