Despite starting the season 4-0-1 the Southern Oregon University Raiders soccer team are heading into Friday’s game with Evergreen College on a three-game skid.

“we’ve just found ourselves facing the sometimes cruel side of the game, in that it’s possible to play very well and not get a result.” Said head soccer coach Jon Clement  “that’s actually defined our last three matches, we’ve played good, hard-working, well coached teams; I’m not at all surprised that all three have very solid won-loss records.”

How will they take this experiences from these games moving forward?  As a valuable lesson as Clement has said.

 “They’ve re-enforced the precept that we have to earn everything, stay focused for all 90 minutes and maybe make it through periods in the game where the other team has the advantage.”  

Up next, the Raiders (4-3-1) are facing a 0-4-1 Evergreen College squad  the Raiders are statsically stronger on paper than the Geoducks but that doesn’t mean that the Raiders will be taking them lightly.

“We’re intent on doing is treating all our opponents with the respect they deserve. I know evergreen’s record isn’t tremendous, but they just lost a really tight game in OT to westminster, and last year they did what we’ve not been able to do–beat Concordia.” said Clement. 

Clements expects his squad to battle hard in this match as Evergreen will come out gun’s a-blazzing in a tireless, hard fighting style in the team’s first Cascade Collegiate Conference match.

The Raiders will be taking to the pitch on Friday at 2 pm at the SOU soccer fields.

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6IXULBjjuo&feature=plcp