Embry-Riddle battled through ninety wild, momentum-swinging minutes at Varsity Field and walked away with a 2–2 draw with Oregon Tech that felt equal parts promising and unfinished.
Embry-Riddle opened with sharp possession and early pressure, and it paid off quickly. In the 10th minute,
Christopher Cruz buried the opener after a clean setup from
Dario Ajdini, who slipped a perfectly weighted ball into space.
Cruz stayed active throughout the half, generating multiple chances—including a high shot in the 19th minute and another in the 19th that forced Oregon Tech's keeper into action. ERAU's midfield trio of
Hugo Gil,
Rojvan Karaer, and
Kevin Yamna kept the tempo steady, helping the Eagles outshoot OIT 6–3 in the opening period.
Defensively,
Erick Quirarte and
Dario Ajdini anchored a disciplined back line that allowed few clean looks, helping ERAU take a 1–0 lead into halftime.
The Eagles continued to generate chances after the break. Cruz nearly doubled the lead in the 52nd minute, forcing another save from Harwood. Substitutions brought fresh legs—
Lucas Thompson,
Oliver Penn, and
Julian Albanil all added energy and attacking intent.
Oregon Tech responded immediately. A minute after Thompson's goal, Cannon Spooner pulled one back, and the Owls kept pressing. ERAU absorbed pressure but couldn't fully stem the momentum swing.
In the 89th minute, Cash Cota found the equalizer for OIT.
Embry-Riddle will head to Nelson University on Monday for a 7:30pm kickoff.
