GREAT FALLS, Mont. - Argo soccer just didn't finish well enough against Southern Oregon University, losing to the Raiders at home 3-1. Both teams entered the game comfortable in their chances of making the Cascade Collegiate Conference playoffs, but battling for better seeding based on the conference standings.
 
The first 15 minutes of the game were almost completely uneventful as both teams taking their time to get a feel for their opponent.
 
About 20 minutes into the match, play got a more aggressive as Southern Oregon began to press the UGF backline. That pressure got the scoring started when a sloppy pass along the UGF back line put UGF keeper Marc Girones in a no win position The sophomore was put one-on-one with in a dangerous spot on the field, getting beat to a loose ball by SOU's Carlos Magana who scored to put his team up 1-0 in the 24th minute.
 
As has been the case a handful of times in 2016, the goal seemed to get UGF going and the resilient Argos answered back just a minute later. Newly subbed in forward Mohamed Oulare scored his 4th goal in four games, breaking free down the right wing to receive a ball from senior midfielder Camilo Martinez. After receiving the pass, Oulare broke toward the near post and fired a shot across the face of the net just as two defenders and the SOU keeper began to converge on him.
 
The 1-1 tie held for 15 minutes, but the Raiders again took the lead in the 39th minute off of a diving header at the far post from a cross into the box.
 
This time UGF wasn't able to respond. Senior forward Ian Ooko had one good chance to end the first half, splitting two defenders on the right side of the SOU penalty box before falling to the ground amid a tangle of legs. The Argos appealed for a foul and a resulting penalty kick but none was given and the half ended at 2-1 SOU.
 
Ooko got another look in the 66th minute and put the shot on frame but it was saved by the Raider's keeper. UGF outshot SOU 9-7 in the second half but as the Argos pressed forwards in hopes of an equalizing goal, the Raiders struck again, scoring in the 84th minute to put the game out of read.
 
The Argos record goes to 7-7 (6-5) and the team is now T-5th in the Cascade Collegiate Conference standings with Carroll College. The good news for UGF is that their final two regular season games are at home against the bottom two teams in the CCC. The first of those will be against winless Walla Walla at 1:30 p.m. on October 28, followed by UGF's Senior Day against Multnomah at 1:30 p.m. on October 29.