ASHLAND – Mustafa Daggig broke a tie by converting a penalty kick with a second left in the first half, and Southern Oregon held on in the second to seal a 2-1 win against Benedictine Mesa (Ariz.) on Saturday morning at Raider Stadium's Laurel Field.
The Raiders completed their perfect opening week at 2-0 and sent the Redhawks home at 0-1-1. Though Daggig had the game-winner, Irwin Leon left the biggest imprint on the result.
Leon – a graduate transfer from Corban who was selected to the All-Cascade Conference team each of the last two seasons – tallied his first goal as a Raider in the 33rd minute, sliding in for a second-chance shot after Ariel De Dios Cruz's breakaway attempt rattled the crossbar. De Dios Cruz, who scored both goals in SOU's win at Pacific on Thursday, was credited with an assist.
Leon also fired the shot that led to a hand-ball in the box just before the end of the first half. After the horn sounded, the officials blew the whistle and put time back on the clock to set up Daggig's chance.
The Redhawks had equalized two minutes earlier, when Ryder Padgett led them downfield on an advantage and passed to Niels Derks for a lined attempt from the left side.
SOU produced 26 shots, 13 in each half, and put seven on goal. Benedictine finished with 13, but Casey Ruvolo's two saves kept them on one score.
Dating back to 2022, the Raiders have won 25 consecutive games in which they scored multiple goals.
They'll travel next week to Arizona, facing Ottawa (Ariz.) on Thursday and Arizona Christian on Saturday.