For the first time since 1997, Corban hoisted the CCC Tournament trophy following its win Saturday against rival Concordia to advance to the program's first-ever NAIA National Tournament.
Corban Wins Cascade Collegiate Conference Tournament Title for First Time Since 1997
BOX SCORE
SALEM, Ore. – Forward Bobby Hutchin scored the game-winning goal in the 83rd minute, as Corban University kept its season alive with a 1-0 victory over Concordia University in the final game of the Cascade Collegiate Conference Championship presented by U.S. Bank Saturday at Blanchet Catholic School.
Corban (16-1-2) defeated Concordia (15-5-0) for the first time ever in postseason play, as the Warriors move onto the program's first-ever NAIA National Tournament with their opening round opponent still to be determined.
At the 82:13 mark, Corban’s Andrew Stenberg connected with Hutchin by sending a pass behind Concordia's defense into an open area leaving the Warrior freshman in a one-on-one battle with the Cavaliers' goalkeeper. With a quick flick shot up and over a diving CU net-minder, Hutchin deposited his sixth goal of the season into a wide-open net to give the home team the lead.
Concordia, who had its season come to an end before the NAIA National Tournament for the first time since 2009, had a couple chances in the first half, as Gerri Haman and Michael Chamberlain both had good opportunities off headers in the game's opening four minutes only to have the ball either land in the awaiting arms of Corban's goalkeeper or sail wide of the goal. Haman’s header at the 3:12 mark was the Cavaliers' best scoring chance in the first half, as the Warriors' goalkeeper had to make a diving stop to his right in order to punch the ball over the end line off a Concordia corner kick.
The first half was a tale of two teams, Concordia seemed to control the offensive flow over the opening twenty minutes before Corban gain momentum over the next twenty minutes. The visiting Cavaliers would regain control over the final five minutes of the first half, as Chamberlain struck a header in the 40th minute that forced Corban's goalkeeper to make his second save of the afternoon.
Overall, Concordia registered two more shots (7-to-5) than Corban with both teams putting two shots on target.
In the second half, Concordia came out and once again controlled the offensive flow for the first 15 minutes before Corban began to turn the tides. In the 66th minute, Hutchin had the best scoring chance of the game so far for the host Warriors when he sent a shot just wide to the left of the goal after Concordia's goalkeeper had come off his line to challenge the Warrior forward and left the goal unattended. At the 80:18 mark, Stenberg subbed into the game and less than two minutes later was part of one of Corban's most important goals of the season to date.
After Hutchin scored the eventual game-winner, Concordia had two chances in the final five minutes on shots by Haman and Jordan Green only to have both go side of the net allowing the Warriors to start their celebration.
Corban’s goalkeeper Jordan Farr registered his school and conference-record 12th shutout of the season with a game-high three saves, as the first-year Warrior moves within two shutouts of second all-time on Corban's career list. At the other end of the field, Concordia's Scott Gross recorded a pair of saves for the Cavaliers.
Overall, Concordia had five more shots (13-to-8) than Corban that included a 6-to-3 advantage in the second half. Both teams would put three shots on goal, while each side earned three corner kicks in the game.
Corban will await its next opponent, as the teams and pairings for the opening round of the NAIA National Tournament will be announced on Monday, November 18th, by the national office.