Al Case, Ashland Daily Photo
SOU, No. 18 Corban tie battle for 1st place
SOU Sports Information
ASHLAND – Southern Oregon couldn't break a first-place tie with Corban but settled for the next-best thing Sunday: a single point and a convincing stat line against the No. 18-ranked team in the NAIA.
The Raiders (8-2-1 overall) and Warriors (8-1-1) held their ground at the top of the Cascade Conference standings after two extra periods failed to break a 0-0 tie at Raider Stadium. SOU's eight-game winning streak turned into a nine-game unbeaten streak, and Corban protected a loss column that to this point has been touched by No. 17 Westmont (Calif.).
The Raiders had the upper hand in a 26-12 disparity in shots – the most they've accumulated without a goal to show for it in team history.
The advantage didn't swing Corban's way even as SOU played a man down in overtime. Before the teams headed to their respective benches at the end of regulation, an altercation resulted in Raider forward Brendan Allen being sent off with a controversial red card.
Tension had been building as the game wore on. After halftime, 21 fouls were called and five yellow cards were issued.
Even with just 10 players on the field, SOU accounted for 10 of the 12 shots taken during overtime.
SOU keeper Wyatt Zabinski made three saves for his shutout, and Corban's Jordan Salim collected five for his.
The Raiders have blanked seven of their last eight opponents and the Warriors haven't allowed a goal over their last four games.
The teams are four points ahead of third-place and No. 12-ranked Rocky Mountain (4-1 CCC) in the standings. The Bears took their only loss at SOU and will host Corban on Oct. 12.
Next Friday and Saturday, SOU will be on the road at Multnomah and Warner Pacific.