Women's Soccer | 10/13/2009 8:03:04 PM

Box Score [Box score]

MONMOUTH, Ore. - The Wolves outshot the Owls 24-7 but it took a goal in the 85th minute by Chelsy Okuma for the Western Oregon soccer team to slip past in-state rival Oregon Tech 3-2, Thursday (Oct. 13).

The win moved WOU's record to 4-8-3 (2-5-0 GNAC) and gave them back-to-back victories for the first time this season. The loss drops OIT to 10-4-0 overall (3-2-0 CCC).

Okuma scored the final of three deep goals for Western Oregon as she hit a high arching shot over the goalie's head from the top of the box after receiving a drop pass from Cori Young. This was the second goal of the season for Okuma and the first game-winning goal of her career.

"Okuma played better than anyone else on the field today," WOU head coach Rod Fretz noted. "She was creative with the ball and has a knack for the game. She is such a harder work and it is evident each day."

Five WOU student-athletes had multiple shots on goal as Rachelle Kliewer pacing the way with six. Kelsie Blachly earned the win in goal and had two saves.

Both teams battling the rain and wind but the Wolves were able to keep the offensive pressure on the Owl's defense through most of the match with 13 shots in the first half and 11 in the second. But despite outshooting OIT 13-1 in the first half WOU could not find the net.

"We had it in their end most of the day," Fretz said. "We just need to be more patient and pass-by-pass get it into the box and break the defense down."

The Wolves' offense seemed the come alive after the Owls got the scoring started in the 52nd minute. Senior Kristie Adkins then tied things up for WOU in the 60th minute on a shot from 20 yards out on the right side of the field, her first of the season.

Sam Slezak gave Western Oregon the lead five minutes later on a penalty kick after Kliewer was dragged down with the ball in the box. The celebration was short lived however, as Sarah Ziegler knotted the match at 2-2 off a free kick which hit the far post and bounced in, setting up the dramatics by Okuma.

The Western Oregon soccer team will be at home again Sunday, Oct. 18th, as it takes on Western Washington at 1:00 p.m.