Hustlin’ Owls Shoot-down Raiders in Overtime
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Story by Steve Matthies, for Oregon Tech
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - About the only thing stunning in Oregon Tech's 1-0 men's soccer victory over Southern Oregon Saturday is that it took the Hustlin' Owls almost 19 minutes into overtime to finally find the back of the net. Oregon Tech improved to 1-0 in the CCC and 4-0-2 overall with the win while SOU slips to 0-1 in the CCC and 2-4 overall.
Tech had plenty of chances and was stifled throughout regulation by SOU goalkeeper Liam Kalhagen.
With just over a minute left in overtime, OIT freshman John Sarna (#30 pictured) received a nice centering pass from Jake Mitchell and scored easily into an almost empty net. "He gave his near post," the 6-foot-6 Sarna said of his first collegiate goal.
Until then, Tech had some good chances, hitting the post and having shots smothered by Kalhagen, a freshman for SOU.
The Raiders had one quality scoring opportunity, a shot which hit the crossbar early in overtime.
"I thought we had a good presence," Lucas Hale, one of the OIT seniors to finally savor a win over its archrival, said. "It shows how far we've come, but we still have a long way to go. We know we can do some things."
The win the Cascade Collegiate Conference opener for both sides allowed the Owls to up their season record to 4-0-2, and remain unbeaten at home. "I totally felt we deserved to win this one," Hale said. "It's a great win, but, in part we had our chances."
The final chance came late when Tech was on a 3-on-2 break. "We got (the ball) out to our midfield, Jake committed the defense and the goalkeeper gave me his near post," Sarna said of what was, considering the history of the rivalry, an almost tame match with limited fouls and single yellow card.
"For me, it's keeping with it and helping set precedent for the rest of the season," Sarna said.
Tech plays its next two matches at home, and will host the University of Providence Friday and Carroll College next Saturday.
