Sophomore Genessa Neeser had the best scoring opportunities of the day for Corban thanks to a pair of shots that hit the crossbar.
Corban Opener Ends With Loss to Embry-Riddle (Ariz.)
BOX SCORE
SALEM, Ore. – Despite a pair of shots by sophomore Genessa Neeser (Pocatello, Idaho) that hit the crossbar in the second half, Corban's women's soccer team dropped its season-opener, 1-0, to the visiting Eagles of Embry-Riddle (Ariz.) Friday at Warrior Field.
After a scoreless opening 30-plus minutes that saw Corban control most of the offensive flow, Embry-Riddle capitalized on a Warrior miscue in the 31st minute for the game's lone goal.
Just past the 30-minute mark of the opening half, ERAU's Cindy Jenkins took a through pass from Samantha Welch and rifled a shot into the far left side of the net past a diving Corban keeper. Jenkins' first goal of the season would turn out to be the game-winner, as the Eagles' defense held the Warriors scoreless for the remainder of the game.
In the second half, Corban continued to apply offensive pressure and had its opportunities but could not capitalize when needed.
Following a foul in the 64th minute and an attempted clearance by the Eagles' defense, Neeser gathered the ball just outside the 18-yard box and rocketed a shot that went over the outstretched arm of ERAU's keeper and hit the crossbar before the ball could be cleared away.
Thirteen minutes later, sophomore Erin Laughlin (Ephrata, Ore.) sent a corner kick up over the Embry-Riddle defense and onto an awaiting Neeser, who blasted another shot from just outside the penalty box. This time, Neeser's shot once again hit the crossbar and fell straight down where ERAU's keeper Chelsea Heck gathered the ball before it crossed the goal line for the tying goal.
In the game's final ten minutes, junior Jessica Matthews (Yelm, Wash.) got a pair of scoring chances only to have both shots sail high over the net therefore thwarting any chance of Corban tying the game and forcing extra time.
Senior goalkeeper Karyn Allen (Merlin, Ore.) played all 90 minutes between the pipes for Corban en route to making a game-high six saves. Meanwhile, Heck stopped all four shots that came her way and secured the shutout to help Embry-Riddle pick up its first victory of the season.
With the loss, Corban falls to 0-1 on the young season while Embry-Riddle improves to 1-1 in '08. The Warriors are back in action on Thursday, August 28th, when they host the University of Great Falls beginning at 5:00 p.m. on Warrior Field.