Oregon Tech's Dustin Hirata Scored Winning Goal to Lift OIT Past Warner Pacific 2-0 (Photo by Kelly Caleb)
Hustlin’ Owls Shut Out Knights 2-0
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. –Oregon Tech got a goal in each half and withstood a relentless Warner Pacific attack to win its second Cascade Conference game of the year and second in row by a score of 2-0 on Trevor Derrah Field at Steen Sports Park. The win moved Tech to 4-4-0 on the season and 2-2-0 in the CCC. The Knights fall to 2-5-1 on the season and are now also 2-2-0 in the CCC.
The two teams battled back and forth exchanging shots and possession before Oregon Tech finally broke through for the first goal of the game in the 31st minute. The goal was scored by Dustin Hirata, his 4th goal of the year, as he took a cross from Leo Keiser and drilled a shot from 40 yards out that deflected off a defender and into the back of the net to give the Hustlin’ Owls a 1-0 lead, a lead they would take into the half break.
Tech made it a 2-0 game when Victor Corona sent a corner kick across the box and Gabe Rennels volleyed it past the Knight goalie in the 71st minute.
Warner Pacific held a 21-14 advantage in shots for the game with both teams having 8 shots on goal.
Tanner Lee went the distance between the pipes in picking up the win and the shut-out for Oregon Tech as he faced 21 shots and was credited with 8 saves. Sean Ervin picked up the loss at goalie for the Knights as he allowed 2 goals facing 14 shots and was credited with 6 saves.
The Hustlin’ Owls were whistled for 11 fouls and no cards for the game with the Knights picking up 10 fouls including a single yellow card.
Oregon Tech will continue CCC play next weekend as they travel to Washington to take on Northwest University Friday and Evergreen State next Saturday.