HELENA, Mont. – Henry Smaldon and Kyle Thomson each scored a goal to lead Carroll College to a 2-1 win over Oregon Tech Thursday at Nelson Stadium.
 
The Saints doubled up the Owls in both shot (14-7) and shots on goal (6-3).
 
The first half appeared to be headed for a scoreless conclusion but with less than a minute to play, midfielder Jose Mena drove from midfield and as he approached the box, drew a defender, leaving Smaldon open on the right of the goal. He sent the ball far post to score the first goal of his career.
 
The Owls equalized in the 61st minute when Clayton Maves found Trinidad Flores right in front of the goal. When Carroll goalkeeper Bernhardt Di Cino came out to challenge, Flores chipped the ball just over his head to tie the game at 1-1.
 
Carroll would answer in the 71st minute and it was again Mena creating the scoring opportunity for the Saints.
 
Mena sent a shot far post from 30-yards out, the OIT goal keeper deflected the ball out but Kyle Thomson was there, unchecked, he sent the rebound over the prone keeper for his third goal on the year.
 
Mena's two assists were even more impressive as this is his first game back after missing three weeks with a groin injury.
 
The Saints would hold on for the 2-1 win which propelled Carroll into sole possession of fifth place in the conference standings. The Saints take on fourth-place Southern Oregon tomorrow at Nelson Stadium.
 
Carroll is 3-1 in the last four matches and they hope to keep the momentum going against SOU.
 
"They're the real deal," head coach Doug Mello said. "They've had some great results and they're pretty much firing on all cylinders. For us we know the importance of the game. They're in our home territory. They're very stingy defense with a very good goalie. We're going to have to maximize our chances against them and put some balls on frame."
 
Kickoff is slated for 3:30 p.m. Live video will be available via the Carroll Youtube channel.