MEN'S CCC TOURNAMENT PRESENTED BY U.S. BANK
Tuesday – Quarterfinals
(1) Warner Pacific 4, (8) Evergreen 1
(2) Oregon Tech 3, (7) Eastern Oregon 2
(3) Corban 3, (6) Rocky Mountain 1
(5) SOU 2, (4) College of Idaho 1
Wednesday – Semifinals
Warner Pacific 0, SOU 0 (PKs: WPU 5, SOU 3)
Oregon Tech 2, Corban 0
Friday – Championship
3 p.m. – Warner Pacific vs. Oregon Tech
EUGENE – History repeated itself in gut-wrenching fashion for the Southern Oregon men's soccer team on Wednesday night in the semifinal round of the Cascade Conference Championships presented by U.S. Bank.
After battling top-seeded and No. 21-ranked Warner Pacific to a tie for the second time in 12 days, the Raiders' tournament run, and likely their season, ended in penalty kicks late night at Civic Park. The teams ended 110 minutes of play at a scoreless draw, but WPU keeper Alexis Calderilla stopped the second PK he saw while his teammates converted every attempt for a 5-3 edge.
The No. 5-seeded Raiders (13-5-2 overall) have still never lost in 13 all-time games at the tournament. In six trips, they've captured one title and been eliminated five times in PKs – including each of the last four postseasons.
They were making their fifth consecutive semifinal appearance against the Knights (17-0-3), who have yet to lose this season.
The Raiders became the first team to shut them out, and just the second to keep Andrew Martinez, the NAIA's leading goal-scorer with 29, off the board. SOU keeper
Anthony Armenta needed to make just three saves in the defensive gem.
Of the Raiders' limited chances – they put four shots on goal – a few of the best came in the second 10-minute overtime session. They got off two shots in the box, one saved and the other blocked, and accounted for both of the period's corner kicks.
A slow start to the season figures to hinder the Raiders when the 40-team field for the NAIA Championships Opening Round is announced on Monday. But since opening with a 3-4 record, they've gone 10-0-2 while taking points from three ranked opponents.
WPU advanced to play No. 2 seed Oregon Tech in Friday's championship game. Those teams have already clinched the CCC's two automatic national tournament bids.
