ASHLAND – A strong finish to the 2012 regular season clinched the third seed in the Cascade Collegiate Conference Tournament for the Southern Oregon soccer team, and the Raiders will travel to Portland for a 7 p.m. semifinal matchup with No. 6 Concordia on Saturday.

Southern Oregon finished the regular season with a 9-5-3 overall mark, 5-2-2 in conference play, while Concordia posted a 13-2-2 overall record, 7-2 in the CCC. A pair of late-season 1-0 losses ended Concordia's 12-year reign atop the Cascade Conference, as Northwest finished 7-1-1 to clinch the regular season crown.

“We're really looking forward to this weekend, as we have a chance for a rematch with Concordia,” SOU head coach Jon Clement said. “I know it's going to be a great atmosphere and super fun for our team.”

The Raiders closed out the regular season with a 1-0 overtime win over College of Idaho and a 1-1 double-overtime tie against Eastern Oregon to earn a spot in the conference tournament for the third straight year. Julie Zamzow (Boise, Idaho/Bishop Kelly) scored in the final minutes of regulation against EOU to force overtime in the eventual tie.

“It was definitely nerve-wracking,” Clement said. “But we came away with a win and a tie – which is what we needed – to put us in the postseason, which is where we're aiming to be every year.”

Southern Oregon finished the regular season on a 3-0-1 run in its final four matches, outscoring its opponents 8-2 during that stretch. Overall, the Raiders outscored opponents 33-21 and outshot opponents 285-124. Stephanie Carr (Upland, Calif./Upland) led the team with 13 goals, while Julie Zamzow (Boise, Idaho/Bishop Kelly) tallied five goals to rank second on the team. Sydney Paulsen (Loveland, Colo./Thompson Valley) and Stacy Hamer (Spokane, Wash./Gonzaga Prep) each added four scores. Kelsey Clement (Kenmore, Wash./Inglemoor) and Katelyn Allen (Citrus Heights, Calif./El Camino Fundamental) split time at goalkeeper for SOU, compiling a 1.17 goal against average with 42 saves.

Concordia outscored its opponents 38-17 while outshooting its opponents 334-76. The Cavaliers' two losses were each 1-0 decisions, and CU owns a 3-0-2 record against ranked opponents this season. Alicia Alarcon-Evans leads the team with seven goals and five assists, while Alex Blalock has added five goals and Hannah Kimsey and Hannah Scott have each tallied four scores. Tori Talbut has played more than 1400 minutes in goal for CU, allowing a 0.38 goal against average with 24 saves this season.

The Raiders will try to break a 16-match losing streak to Concordia on Saturday, as CU is 18-1 all-time against SOU. The Raiders' one win against the Cavaliers was a 1-0 home victory in 2001. Earlier this season, then-top-ranked Concordia defeated SOU 2-0 in Portland.

“We're excited and ready to go,” Clement said. “We know it's going to be a hard game and they're a very good team. We have a good amount of respect for them, but we're not afraid. We want to put our front foot forward and try to get the victory.”