Eagles Win Overtime Thriller for CCC Women’s Soccer Tournament Title

[Box Score] [Northwest University Recap] [College of Idaho Recap]

CORVALLIS, Ore. – The 2022 Cascade Collegiate Conference Women’s Soccer Tournament Championship, presented by U.S. Bank, took overtime to determine a winner, but top-seeded Northwest University grabbed a 2-1 victory over third-seeded College of Idaho to sweep the CCC championships.
 
The No. 25-ranked Eagles improve to 17-1-2 on the year, while the Coyotes slip to 15-3-2 overall.
 
It was a tale of two halves as the Eagles struck first in the 12^th minute of action, but the Coyotes clawed their way back to force overtime with a goal less than a minute before regulation ended. NU then sealed the deal late in the second overtime period to avoid a penalty kick shootout and win its second tournament title in program history.
 
Claire Jo Diede capitalized for the Eagles off a double assist from Kayla Soderstrom and Anna Lau. Soderstrom – who set a new NU program record at 12 assists in a single season – sent a pass into the six-yard back where Lau tapped it up for Diede to head in, 1-0.
 
With less than a minute left in regulation, Chloe Teets picked the right time to score her first goal of the season and second of her career to tie the game, 1-1, and send it into overtime. The senior midfielder took a deep free kick and sent it into the back of the net to keep the Coyotes in the hunt for the tournament title.
 
Neither team could break through in the first 10-minute overtime period, but the Eagles took the lead once again in the 102^nd minute. After NU put a shot on goal, C of I couldn’t get it out of danger and Gracie Vanassche tucked it away to put the Eagles back in front, 2-1.
 
Since the new overtime rule doesn’t mean a golden goal anymore, there were still eight minutes left on the clock for the Coyotes to equalize once more. C of I poured on the pressure, but the Hanne Breur and her Eagle defense wouldn’t let go of their lead to secure the 2-1 victory.
 
Both teams have earned their spots in the NAIA National Tournament and will learn their fate for the Opening Round on Monday at 9 a.m. Pacific on the NAIA YouTube Channel.