Mountaineers Advance in NAIA Championships on PK's Over Hustlin' Owls
EOU Sports Information
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – No. 16/No.2-seeded Eastern Oregon University Women's Soccer played arguably its most thrilling game of the season Saturday afternoon as the Mountaineers played to a 0-0 tie against No. 4-seeded Oregon Tech. In the penalty kick shootout, EOU got down 3-0 before mounting what was an improbable comeback to advance by a final PK score of 5-4.
With the win, EOU now sits at 8-1-3 overall and is headed back to the final championship site for the third year in a row. The Mountaineers will also be the representative of the Cascade Collegiate Conference in Foley, Ala. And as the Champions of the Santa Barbara bracket.
How it Happened
• Both teams applied pressure on offense in the 110 minutes of action with Oregon Tech (12-1-1) having the edge in shots taken at 17-14. The shots on goal advantage went to EOU, 7-4, while the Hustlin' Owls took more corners for the game at 7-5.
• In the early going of the contest, both squads looked to push the pace on offense. Helping the Mountaineers was their depth and experience as they rotated substitutions consistently throughout the contest. On the flip side, youth was key as OIT only used a small handful of bench players.
• The Hustlin' Owls put up quick shots in the first 10 minutes of play but three did not come on goal, while Savannah Hutchinson had a save on the other. Eastern on offense, did not get its first shot off until the near midway point of the frame but closed out the period taking five and limited OIT to zero in the final 30 minutes.
• At halftime, EOU had the shots edge at 5-4, but just one came on goal, while OIT was at three shots on goal. On the defensive side, EOU committed just three fouls, but had a yellow card go against the team early on in the contest. For OIT, they committed four fouls in the first period.
• Coming out of the break, Eastern applied offensive pressure early taking three shots in the first 10 minutes of action. Following that point, OIT held EOU to just two more shots the rest of the second frame. The Hustlin' Owls had six shots in the second period but stout defense by EOO kept the game scoreless to force the first overtime.
• In the first OT period, it was OIT that dictated the tempo and pace as they put up four shots in the first five minutes and had five total. The Mountaineers managed just two shots in OT, but neither team was successful in scoring a golden goal and the game rolled into a second OT period.
• Defensive play picked up in the final 10 minutes as there were just three shots taken in the second OT frame. EOU had the edge at 2-1, but the game went in a PK shootout to determine the winner that was going to advance to the final championship site.
• The PK shootout started off perfectly for the Hustlin' Owls who made their first three PK attempts to go ahead 3-0. The first two shots by EOU were saved before Kayla Storm nailed the third attempt to make it 3-1.
• Like she had in the previous year, Hutchinson came in clutch late and made key stops and got help on offense as EOU forced extra attempts. Following a save by her, Hannah Jenkins made it 3-2 in PK's before another save and made shot by Sarah Mitchell tied the shootout at 3-all.
• OIT answered with a PK score on its fifth attempt to go back ahead by one, 4-3, but it was the last made attempt before EOU secured the comeback. Mackinley Gregus tied it up at 4-all on her attempt before Hutchinson made the key stop to give EOU the chance to advance. Enter Kaitlyn McLeod.
• Like she did in the win on Thursday, McLeod was poised and patient as she approached the ball for the PK shot. She looked off the goalkeeper to the left and nailed a shot to the lower middle right area of the net to punch the ticket for Eastern and mount a comeback for the ages.
Mountaineers Stat Leaders
• Haley Leavens led the way in shots taking four total in the contest and had three come on goal.
• Kana Mateaki had two shots in the tie and had both come on goal.
• Yahaira Chavarria-Mondragon and Erika Skindlov both took two shots in the match.
• In net, Savannah Hutchinson made four saves in 110 minutes of action and had three stops in the PK shootout.
For the Hustlin' Owls
• Mehana Ortiz led the offense with four shots overall and had two come on goal.
• Amanda sweward and Maddie Miller both took three shots and had one come on goal, respectively.
• Kyra Cambra also took three shots in the tie.
• Goalkeeper Alyx Burkhartzmeyer tallied seven saves in 110 minutes of play.
By the Numbers
3 – Eastern Oregon has now had three games this season end in a tie.
2 – In the NAIA Championships Opening Round, the Mountaineers have now played two ties and have advanced in both on PK's.
4 – The four saves by Savannah Hutchinson is the second most in a game this season for her.
3 – EOU has now advanced to the NAIA Championships final site for the third year in a row under Head Coach Jacob Plocher.
Quotable
Head Coach Jacob Plocher
On the team's comeback in the PK shootout: At the start of the shootout, we just told the team to take it one play at a time no matter what happens. We got into that 3-0 hole, but just kept reassuring the girls to just get stops and chip away. Even with us going down like that, we held composure and were able to get back into it. We've been in these situations before and I feel that experience from years prior paid off. We were composed and got the job done.
On Savannah Hutchinson's play in net: Her play today and this weekend was impressive. She had some great stops late for us in regulation and into both OT periods. She's also been in these situations from last year and I knew she had the ability to make plays. She stepped up, showed her composure and we knew we had to take advantage of the stops she made. We did and it all paid off.
On Kaitlyn McLeod's performance in Santa Barbara: She has come up big for us lately. Like I said on Thursday, she just had to build that confidence back up and be ready when her number was called. She's an older player for us who had to take a new role this season. Her minutes were cut but she never stopped battling for playing time and in these past few weeks, it has made a difference. She produced for us this weekend and it' just a testament to the type of player she is and the hard work she puts in.
On the team going back to the NAIA Championships final site for the third year in a row: To be headed back to the final site, is an amazing feeling. I am so proud of this team and everything they have done especially during this hectic and crazy year we all have had. I thought this was one of the best games we've ever played in my time here and hopefully we can build off that when we head to Alabama. I know what this team is capable of so we just got to keep building, but for now we're going to enjoy the moment.
Up Next
• The Mountaineers will now wait and see who their potential first round opponent might be or if they will get a BYE at the NAIA National Championships final site. Seeding and times will be announced on Monday, April 19.