FULLERTON, Calif. – Kiana Jacobson ripped a 20-yard dart into the left corner of the net with nine minutes remaining, helping Oregon Tech stun No. 11-ranked Hope International at the O.C Great Park.
The win for the Lady Owls (2-1-1) was the first against a ranked team since the 2021 NAIA Championships and the highest-ranked opponent to fall to Tech in the regular season since 2019 (No. 6 Eastern Oregon).
"The girls played fantastic, they deserve all the credit," said OIT head coach Tom Moore. "We had a game plan in place and they took that plan and made it their own. I think it was a great game to watch and even better to compete in. We were gritty and showed when we compete, we can do some exciting things."
Battling in an 81st-minute 2-2 tie, Brianna Lewis made a run down the left side, playing a cross to an unmarked Jacobson just outside the area in the middle of the pitch. The senior flicked a rocket of a shot into the goal, past diving Royals (1-1) keeper Haley Slouka for the lead. HIU would have two shot attempts to try to force a draw, but both attempts were off line.
HIU struck first inside the opening five minutes, as All-America forward Christiane Sundstrom made a long run up the middle of the field and slotted home the counter. OIT responded behind the boot of Caneel Corpuz – Corpuz taking a through-ball from Chloe Cook in the 29th minute and lined a shot past the diving Slouka to even the score. Just before the break, Jaylee Curran struck off a free kick – lining a low 30-yard shot into the right corner of the net to give the Lady Owls a lead.
The Royals tied the score at 2-2 early in the second half, as Sundstrom pounced on a short cross off a counter-attack, one-timing a quick shot into the left side of the net.
HIU finished with a 12-9 edge in shots and took all five of the corner kick chances in the match – but the Owls defense held the defending NAIA national quarterfinalists to three shots on goal.
Tech continues their California road trip next weekend, meeting Park-Gilbert and Simpson in Redding.