KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – With a first-place spot in the Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) standings on the line, Friday afternoon's battle between the (RV) Corban University men's soccer team and No. 24-ranked Oregon Tech was as physical and emotional as one might expect. Though the Warriors got out to an early head start in the rainy conditions of Klamath Falls, two second-half goals propelled the Owls to a 2-1 triumph.

Both teams entered Friday's match tied in points in the CCC regular-season standings, with OIT possessing a 7-1 CCC record and the Navy and Gold boasting a 7-2 conference record prior to today's battle.

The pivotal clash got off to a promising start for the Warriors, who took an early 1-0 lead thanks to a 21^st-minute goal from Nate Sherwood, assisted by Alvaro Arche and Reggie Reyes. Pushing forward in the midfield, Reyes connected with Arche streaking down the endline. Arche then served in a beautiful ball to an unmarked Sherwood, who finished from close range to put Corban in front.

That lead lasted throughout the remainder of the half, with emotions running high from the first whistle of Friday's crucial CCC battle.

Those emotions reached a boiling point roughly nine minutes into the second half, when a scuffle between the two teams resulted in yellow cards for both sides. When the dust settled, Oregon Tech ended up with a promising free kick opportunity, tabbing Jake Mitchell to take the free kick from roughly 40 yards out.

Mitchell sent a ball in that ricocheted off a Warrior defender into the back of the net, evening the score at one in the 55^th minute of play.

With emotions running high, Corban's frustration continued building as the squad sought another go-ahead goal. The Warriors had a few promising opportunities—including a missed penalty kick in the 61^st minute—but were unable to regain the lead.

Meanwhile, Oregon Tech got its game-winner from Cade O'Neill in the 75^th minute, and that would prove to be enough for the hometown team, which held on for the victory and earned three valuable points in the CCC standings.

With only two games left to play—including one against Multnomah University (2-10-1)—Oregon Tech puts itself into the driver's seat as it looks to claim the CCC Regular-Season title.

On the other side, Corban (9-5, 8-3 CCC) will shift its focus to Sunday, when it takes on another challenging CCC foe in the form of Southern Oregon University. Kick off between the Warriors and Raiders is slated for 11 a.m. in Ashland, Ore.