SPRINGFIELD, Ore. – Cards, free kicks, a broken cleat, and one controversial handball call dictated the end result of UGF men's soccer's 1-0 loss to Rocky Mountain College in the Cascade Collegiate Conference Championship. 

Defense defined the first half, with both teams struggling to create shots. The Argos held an almost constant possession for the first 15 minutes but despite a few crosses and set pieces never managed to get off a shot.

The next 30 minutes were controlled by Rocky. The Bear's took three shoots and forced UGF's freshman goalkeeper into a diving save by the right post. The effort was the only shot on goal of the half that ended 0-0.

Rocky continued its pressure early in the first half but the UGF backline faired admirably against CCC Freshman of the Year Steven Forbes and the rest of the Rocky attack.

Then, about 15 minutes into the half, the Argonauts scored twice in the span of a few minutes, but much to the frustration of the UGF bench, both counterattacking efforts were called back.

The first non-goal can from senior forward Renan Zampieri who broke free into the 18-yard box but was called for a fairly uncontested off sides. A few minutes later came a much more controversial call.

Senior forward Jon-Eric Krans, whose speed down the right wing tested the Rocky defense all game, finally got on the end of a ball through the center of the RMC defense. Krans controlled the ball, outran a Bear defender and flicked into the net. Just as the team captain wheeled around to celebrate, the far-side assistant referee raised his flag, to signal a handball on Krans as he was controlling the ball.

With a 1-0 lead taken off the board, the Argos tried to create similar chances but never regained the danger of those few minutes.

It was in the 77th minute that the left cleat of Girones became a factor. It was then that the keepers boot split while still on his foot and with the clock already stopped for a yellow card on an UGF defender, he went to the bench to get a new one.

More controversy followed as the officials ruled Girones ineligible to re-enter the game for the ensuing free kick. UGF head coach Joseph Yeisley was forced to put in the team's reserve net-minder without any chance to warm up.

Rocky's young star, Forbes, took advantage of the situation and placed the 20-yard set piece perfectly into the top left corner of the net. Even had Girones been in, the shot would most likely have still gone in.

The final 15 minutes featured more cards on both sides and two UGF free kicks in the final 20 seconds that threatened to bring the matches drama to new heights, but ultimately failed to do so.

The final totals were almost dead even, with UGF leading in shots 8-7, and fouls 21-20 and the two teams even with two corner kicks and two shots on goal.

While UGF finished as the CCC Tournament runners-up they still hold one of the conference's two automatic qualifiers for the NAIA National Championship Tournament. The team will learn their seed and opponent for their first round during the NAIA Tournament Selection Show on Monday, November 16 at 11 a.m. All first-round games will be played on Saturday, November 21.

The Selection Show can be viewed on the NAIA Network at NAIANetwork.com.