Sophomore Amanda Mendenhall notched Corban's first goal of the season today against Northwest Nazarene, as the two teams battled to a 1-1 tie in double overtime. (Photo courtesy of Kari Stetson)
Corban's Season Opener Ends in Tie With NNU
BOX SCORE
NAMPA, Idaho – Sophomore Amanda Mendenhall (Windsor, Calif.) scored the season's first goal, as Corban's women's soccer team kicked off its 2009 campaign with a 1-1 tie in double overtime against NCAA Division II member Northwest Nazarene Thursday afternoon at NNU Soccer Field.
For the second time in the past three seasons, the Warriors traveled east to the state of Idaho to open its year. Two seasons ago, Corban kicked off its season with a 3-2 overtime victory over Northwest Nazarene in Nampa.
This time around, the host Crusaders got on the board first when NNU's Stacey Beckman finished a McKenzie Bailey assist from 18-yards out in the 39th minute, beating Corban's goalkeeper inside the far post.
Northwest Nazarene took that slim one-goal lead into halftime and continued to hold the advantage until the 64th minute.
Nearly 20 minutes into the second half, Mendenhall stole the ball from the Crusader defenders just outside the box and then beat NNU keeper Tanya Zickefoose for the game-tying tally. In 21 games as a Warrior, Mendenhall had tallied six goals and 17 points in her young career.
Both teams produced dangerous opportunities in the pair of 10-minute overtime sessions, but none were rewarded. NNU offered perhaps the best chance in the 109th minute, as a Crusader corner kick crossed in front of the Warrior defense but could not find a solid foot.
Corban led in total shots with a 19-9 margin, while the Crusaders held a 10-6 advantage in corner kicks.
Making her first start ever in between the pipes for the Warriors, senior net-minder Jennifer Bassett (Keizer, Ore.) grabbed four saves versus Zickefoose's nine for the Crusaders.
With today's deadlock, Corban and Northwest Nazarene both open their seasons with identical records of 0-0-1. The Warriors will continue their season-opening five-game road trip on Tuesday, Sept. 1st, against NCAA Division III member Pacific University of Oregon beginning at 5:00 p.m. in Forest Grove.