SALEM, Ore. – The Corban University women's soccer team's series finale against Oregon Tech came down to the wire on Monday, with both squads fighting valiantly in a defensive battle. A 51^st-minute goal from the Owls' Mehana Ortiz proved to be the difference in the contest, lifting OIT to a 1-0 triumph and two-game series split.

"It was a tough result today," said interim head coach Tim Kagey. "Oregon Tech is a quality side, but it took an incredible game to beat us. We are excited to get after it this week in training."

Neither team found the back of the net in a defensive first half, though the Owls did manage to create more offensive opportunities for themselves. The visitors rattled off eight shots (five on goal) in the period, but they were unable to sneak one past Corban keeper Devan Archer, who kept the game scoreless through the first 45 minutes with a slew of sprawling saves.

It was a brilliant game-winner from Ortiz, who went to her left foot to curl one just inside the left post from the far corner of the box. There was nothing Archer could do, as the strike was placed perfectly.

A hard tackle from Moe Sato on a one-on-one breakaway resulted in a penalty kick for the Owls in 81^st minute, but Amanda Seward was unable to convert, keeping the deficit at just one.

That gave the Navy and Gold some late life, as the squad searched frantically for an equalizer in the game's final minutes. The Warriors were unable to find it, however, as the Owls held off the Warrior attack en route to a series split.

Between the pipes, Oregon Tech's Alyx Burkhartzmeyer notched a clean sheet, collecting a pair of saves in the first CCC defeat of the season for Corban.

The Warriors (3-2, 3-1 CCC) will be back on the road for next weekend's series, heading up to Kirkland, Wash. for back-to-back matches against Northwest University. Game time on both days is slated for 1 p.m.