Freshman Malia Grajeda moved the Warriors into the conference semifinals for the second straight season with her game-winning goal today against Oregon Tech.
Grajeda Sends Corban Into Postseason Semifinals
BOX SCORE
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – Freshman Malia Grajeda (University Place, Wash.) scored an unassisted goal in the 81st minute, as Corban's women's soccer team defeated Oregon Tech, 1-0, Saturday afternoon in the conference tournament quarterfinals at Steens Sports Park to advance to Wednesday's semifinals.
Playing as the tournament's No. 6 seed, Corban avenged a loss to the Hustlin' Owls seven days ago to advance to the conference tournament semifinal against the top-seeded and NAIA's No. 5-ranked Cavaliers of Concordia on Wednesday, Nov. 5th, at 5:30 p.m. at the Tualatin Hills Park and Recreation Complex in Beaverton.
In the opening half, neither team could crack their opponent's defense as both teams combined for five shots (four for OIT versus one for Corban). The halftime score was 0-0 with 45 minutes remaining to decide who would advance in the conference tournament and have its season extended.
In the 81st minute, Grajeda settled a ball 19 yards away from goal and unleashed a shot that eluded OIT's net-minder and found the back of the net near post. The 5-foot-5 first-year Warrior notched the second goal of her collegiate career and moved into sixth among the season leaders in total points with six.
Each team recorded one more shot (both on goal) over the game's final nine-plus minutes, as each goalkeeper registered a save for the final tally of 1-0 in favor of Corban.
Freshman Amanda Mendenhall (Windsor, Calif.) was the catalyst for the Warriors, as she was all over the field winning every 50-50 ball that came near her. Mendenhall teamed with fellow freshman Brittany Bowman (Shelton, Wash.), who registered a team-high two shots on the afternoon that included one of the Warriors' two shots on goal.
For the game, Corban was out shot by only one (7-6) but registered more shots over the game's final 45 minutes than the Owls (5-3). Senior goalkeeper Karyn Allen (Merlin, Ore.) stood between the pipes for the full 90 minutes en route to registering a game-high six saves to pick up her team-leading sixth shutout of the season. Meanwhile, Oregon Tech's net-minder Jaclyn Unruh registered only one save for the Owls in the loss.
With the win, Corban improves to 8-10-1 overall, while Oregon Tech's season ends at 8-9-2.