Update 10/24 9:19 am - revised playoff scenarios

EUGENE, Ore.  – The Northwest Christian University women's soccer team completed a ferocious weekend of action on Saturday with a thrilling 1-0 overtime win over Eastern Oregon University.
 
The team's second shutout in a row put the Beacons in a position where they need to record just one point next Friday to secure their first ever berth in the Cascade Collegiate Conference tournament.
 
Head Coach Jessica Cardwell said, "I was proud of our team yesterday and tonight I am almost at a loss for words. These girls battled hard and played for one another and it is fun to be a part of a team that does that."
 
After playing through two scoreless periods, NCU broke out with the golden goal in the 98th minute. Junior Annie Tunstill intercepted a ball deep in Mountie territory but quickly moved the ball forward unchallenged. After advancing past midfield, Tunstill slotted a perfect pass to a streaking Mackenzie Galick (pictured) who hit a 25-yard strike into the right corner of the net, over the head of the EOU keeper for the game-winner.
 
Before that moment, Eastern had been applying the pressure. After outshooting NCU 5-1 in regulation, the Mounties had three scoring opportunities in overtime include a pair of shots-on-goal saved by Beacon freshman goalkeeper Katie Hastings.
 
In all, EOU (8-5-3, 5-3-2 CCC) finished with an 8-2 advantage in shots. Northwest Christian's only shot-on-goal was one that ended it.
 
Hastings picked up her second shutout win in a row as the Beacons posted their fifth clean sheet of the season.
 
"The girls came together and played with passion and heart this weekend," said Cardwell. "Bryce Branagan-Franco, Nikki Bevans and Joceline Howard stepped up their leadership roles and have demanded more from their teammates. The atmosphere on the field has completely changed. We are putting way more thought into the game and we are seeing the positive result of that."

NCU now sits at 6-9-1 on the season with a 3-5-1 mark in the Cascade Collegiate Conference. With 10 points, they are tied with The University of Great Falls for eighth place. Great Falls has completed their regular season and the Beacons need to secure just one more point to move ahead of the Argos. Evergreen, Oregon Tech and Warner Pacific all sit behind the Beacons in the standings but could all move up to score 10 or more points by the end of next weekend.

A win or tie against Evergreen on Friday would ensure enough points that nobody could catch them.
 
The Beacons host Evergreen (2-6-3, 0-5-3 CCC) on Friday at 3 p.m. to begin the final weekend of the regular season. On Saturday night the team takes on Northwest University at 7 p.m.