ASHLAND –
Alan Gaytan's goal streak came to an end, but the junior forward found a way to help Southern Oregon complete a perfect weekend of Cascade Conference play anyway on Saturday afternoon at Raider Stadium.
Gaytan, who'd tallied in four straight games, was pulled down while making a run into the box in the 76th minute and earned a penalty kick that
Joao de Santos converted for the winner in the SOU's 2-1 defeat of Northwest (Wash.).
The Raiders went to 6-0 overall and 2-0 in the CCC, clawing by against an Eagles squad (4-3, 0-2) that played a man down for the final 40 minutes after Tyler Hopp was sent off with his second yellow card.
They dominated the scoresheet, generating advantages of 24-7 in shots and 11-1 in corner kicks, but had little to show for it until de Santos cashed in his second goal of the season.
Hopp had assisted Brayden Corwin's chip shot over SOU keeper
Liam Kalhagen and into the net in transition just three minutes into the afternoon to put the Eagles on top.
Adrian Villegas turned in the equalizer in the in the 12th minute.
Junior Rivas created it, plucking away a Northwest pass just inside of midfield and streaking down the center before dishing to his right in the box for Villegas' second goal of the season and 12th of his career.
Rivas, the senior captain who tallied in SOU's 4-3 win over Evergreen on Friday, was credited with his first assist of 2021.
The game-winner was the second for de Santos. The junior midfielder is up to six points on the year.
SOU will stay home for a rivalry game next Friday against Oregon Tech, which will enter the matchup with the same record as the Raiders. Game time is set for 11 a.m.