ASHLAND — Ottawa (Ariz.) soured No. 23-ranked Southern Oregon’s home debut by dealing the Raiders their first regular-season loss since last September with a 3-0 upset Thursday afternoon at Raider Stadium.

Ron Neftali put the Spirit (1-0-1) ahead in the third minute and gave them a two-goal cushion in the 54th as the Ottawa defense limited SOU to two shots on goal. The Raiders (2-1) had last been shut out at home in 2018.

Neftali’s first goal was a putback from point-blank range of Ethan Castillo’s shot that hit the crossbar. Castillo was credited with an assist, and Jesus Castillo set up Neftali’s second score — a 23-yard strike lined up with the right post and hammer inside the left.

In the 82nd minute, Zen Courtois provided the finishing touches with a shot in space after Andrew DelGuidice poked the ball away from a Raider defender from behind and sent it to the striker.

SOU keeper Casey Ruvolo collected five saves, but his efforts were futile as the Raiders struggled to finish. They generated 13 shots, just one fewer than the spirit, and Ottawa keeper Jonathan Garcia only had to make two saves.

The Raiders’ regular-season winning streak ended at 12 games. They’d been unbeaten in their previous nine home outings dating back to 2022.

Women’s Soccer

SOU 3, ARIZONA CHRISTIAN 1: At Ashland, Southern Oregon got each of its goals in the first half — from Ava Johnson in the eighth minute, Cora Thorndike in the 16th and Johnson again in the 19th — including a couple of the flashy variety to win their first-ever matchup with the Firestorm. They’re off to a 3-0 start for the third time in team history.

Johnson, a freshman, settled in quickly courtesy of a smooth setup from a couple teammates. Brooklyn Hayes played a ball forward from the left sideline near midfield to Frida Vargas, who redirected the pass to her left on one touch to find a streaking Johnson. The West Sacramento, Calif., product tracked it down and poked it past charging ACU goalkeeper Taylor Wonderly, getting just enough on it to roll in.

Thorndike, a senior, started her highlight sequence with a short corner kick to Vargas. After Thorndike took a few steps in from the right side, Vargas gave it back to her and she delivered a long left-footed shot that curled inside the left post.

Johnson completed her brace when Miller Bertani sent a free kick toward the goal minutes later. The ball initially went off a defender, but Thorndike was nearby to get a foot on the deflection and find Johnson in space for a centered 10-yard bouncer into the net.

Vargas was credited with two assists, bringing her season total to three. Hayes and Thorndike registered one apiece.

The Firestorm (1-1) got their lone goal on a header from Cami Mercado in the 64th minute. They had three other shots on goal, each of which were saved by Ashlynn Hernandez.

Volleyball

SOU 3, OREGON TECH 0: At Klamath Falls, outside hitters Marin Mackey and Mylena Testoni were too much for Oregon Tech on the opening night of Cascade Conference play as No. 10-ranked Southern Oregon left Danny Miles Court with a clean sweep Thursday.

The duo turned in matching double-doubles with season-high kill totals in a 25-17, 25-16, 28-26 win that made the Raiders 7-0 overall. Mackey had 16 kills, Testoni had 11 and both racked up 14 digs.

They also got the Raiders out of trouble in the third set, the only frame where they were challenged. Trailing 25-24, Mackey fended off OIT’s second set-point with a kill through the defense. Tied at 26-all, she drilled another before Testoni followed moments later with the finisher.

Mackey’s double-double was her fourth in a row. Testoni’s performance was her best since a dominant junior season that was cut short in 2022 by an injury that forced to her miss ’23.

SOU got more good work on the pins from right-side hitters Megan Perry and Hannah Stadstad, who combined for 15 kills. The team’s season-low .168 attacking average was brought down by an Owls defense that totaled 12 blocks, but the Raiders kept up with 11 of their own. Linda Conceicao was in on seven, Stadstad on five, and Testoni and Sadie Byrd on four apiece.

The Owls fell to 7-2. Their All-CCC outside hitter, Molly Grace, was limited to seven kills and committed seven attacking errors on 30 swings. OIT hit .024 as a team, becoming the fourth SOU opponent to land on a sub-.100 clip this season.

Vitoria Mattos (22 assists, 5 digs) and Annie Hite (21 assists, 4 digs) ran the show ably for the Raiders. Kayla Neidigh contributed 13 digs and Tais Vega dropped in two service aces while keying some prolonged runs.

The Raiders have won three consecutive and 37 of their last 41 matchups with the Owls.