(Editor's note: RMC Athletics release)
BILLINGS – The Rocky Mountain College Battlin' Bears defeated Oregon Tech 3-1 in men's soccer on Friday afternoon.
Rocky's (5-3-0, 4-1-0 CCC) Pablo Ferreira quickly found the back of the net in the fourth minute off an assist from Marco Kummerle. Oregon Tech's (5-2-2, 2-2-0 CCC) Joey Dreissen responded by knocking in a goal for the Owls off of Lucas Hale in the 27th minute.
Despite holding a 15-4 shot advantage in the first period, the Battlin' Bears ended the half tied 1-1 with the Owls.
"Coming out of the half, we just found our energy," said head men's soccer coach, Richard Duffy. "We were able to score two goals quickly and it put us in a good position."
Three minutes out of the half, Rocky's Sky Swenson took a pass from Ferreira and powered the ball into the back of the net to take the lead. Quique Garcia knocked in the final goal of the match with help from Swenson in the 54th minute to put the Battlin' Bears up 3-1.
Rocky's goalkeeper Kristofer Wennin ended the day with five saves and one goal allowed for the Battlin' Bears. Oregon Tech's Mitchell Jillson had three goals allowed and nine saves.
The Battlin' Bears held a 26-14 shot advantage while the Owls led 6-4 in corner kicks.
Rocky will stay at home to play Southern Oregon on Sunday at 12 p.m. on Wendy's Field.
Rocky's women played Oregon Tech to a scoreless draw.
The match counts as Rocky's (6-2-1, 3-1-1 CCC) first draw of the season and the third for Oregon Tech (5-2-3, 2-0-2).
"We had three or so shots bounce off the crossbar. On any other day, one of those goes in," said Duffy. "Both teams played hard and it was a fair result."
Rocky's goalkeeper Maia Wetzel had four saves for the Battlin' Bears while Jenna Stiehr had five saves for the Owls.
The Battlin' Bears had 16 shots in comparison to the Owls who had 12. Rocky held a 4-0 advantage in corner kicks.
The Battlin' Bears will host Oregon Tech on Sunday at 2:30 p.m. at Wendy's Field.
