Mountaineers perfect on the pitch during conference play

MOUNTAINEER MOJO: EOU’s Lauren Robideau fights with Northwest defenders for the ball in the Mountaineers 3-2 overtime win.The Observer/PAUL HARDER

Eastern Oregon University opened Cascade Collegiate Conference play with a 3-2 overtime win against Northwest University.

“We wanted to play a tough early schedule just for this reason,” EOU head coach Jessy Watson said. “The girls know what great competition is like, and it prepared us for the  conference schedule.

The Mountaineers appeared to have the game in hand, leading 2-0.

Courtney Gaskill put EOU on the board after a touch pass by Tennly Paul-Bowden less than two minutes into the game.

Lori Wilson floated a pass over the Eagles goalkeeper Jordan Holmes in the 21st minute.

The offense flickered on and off for the rest of the game.

“We just need to stay engaged for the whole game,” Watson said. “The game goes on and when the ball got into the girls’ area they weren’t ready. We just have to stay ready.”

Northwest took advantage of one opportunity before the half. Abby Brauer clanked a penalty kick off the cross bar and into the net in the 32nd minute.

The Mountaineers had nine shots in the first half, including seven on goal.

Northwest took eight shots with five on goal.

“With our offense that’s going to happen,” Watson said. “We’re going to get our chances, but we need to capitalize on them. The girls didn’t do that today. The opposition is also going to get a few chances. But we can live with that.”

The Eagles knotted the game in the 77th minute. Yanet Candido snuck a free kick right over the outstretched arm of EOU goalkepper Allison Seymour.

The Mountaineers wouldn’t let the game slip away.

Senior defender Martha Billings saved the potential winning score from finding the net. After the ball squirted away from Seymour, Northwest had a couple of opportunities to score, but Billings kicked the ball off an Eagles player.

It took only 19 seconds for the Mountaineers to score in overtime.

Lauren Robideau found Courtney Gaskill in front of the net, and the senior midfielder took care of the rest.

The Eastern Oregon University provided an encore with a 2-1 win Saturday over The Evergreen State College.

The Mountaineers jumped out of the gate quickly. Kami Hernandez put EOU on the board 35 seconds into the match.

Tennly Paul-Bowden added a goal in the 80th minute with an assist from Bailey Richardson.

Eastern Oregon travels to Klamath Falls on Oct. 2 for a match-up with Oregon Tech (8-1, 1-0 CCC).