Lexi McQueary scored in the first half for Corban in an eventual 1-1 draw. (Photo Credit: Doug Pfeiler)
SALEM, Ore. – The Corban University women's soccer team battled against Rocky Mountain College on Saturday afternoon at Warrior Field, and amidst torrential downpour conditions, the Warriors and Battlin' Bears split the points in a 1-1 draw. For Corban, it is the first time it has scored a goal in six contests, while for the Battlin' Bears, they head home from the long road trip with a win and draw.
"It was great to see us play at the level we are capable of," said Corban head women's soccer coach Marty Ziesemer. "The team had lots of energy and drive. Our ball-winning in the first half really made the difference in our success, and we were much more dangerous than we have been in past games."
In that first stanza, the rain picked up just after kickoff, along with the wind, and those two factors alone created for a bizarre game of soccer that saw both teams slipping and sliding all over the water-drenched field.
With Corban racking up a number of good chances early on and throughout the first half against a Rocky Mountain team that is receiving votes in the NAIA Top-25 Coaches' Poll, Corban finally found the breakthrough in the 40th minute. After the Warriors gained possession in the center of the park, a ball was slipped through the right side of the Rocky Mountain defense, and after taking a touch, Warrior freshman forward Emma Kosmala (Lebanon, Ore.) lined a perfect cross along the six-yard box, and fellow freshman forward Lexi McQueary (Kennewick, Wash.) was there to finish off the play, one-timing her shot into the back of the net to put Corban in front. For McQueary, it was her third goal of the year.
Corban outshot Rocky Mountain during those first 45 minutes, 10-6, but the Battlin' Bears responded in a big way in the second half, boasting a 15-4 shots advantage, and Rocky eventually tied the game at 1-1 in the 60th minute when Ashley Flannigan converted a penalty-kick opportunity.
Both sides would record more good looks throughout the remainder of the contest during regulation, but neither side scored again, sending the contest to overtime. Corban almost won it during the extra periods when Warrior sophomore forward Sadee Kallis (Yakima, Wash.) fired a shot on target from about 12 yards out, but right at the goalkeeper. The game eventually ended in the 1-1 draw.
"We have been fighting the confidence issue for the past several games, so this is a good result against a good team," said Ziesemer. Having a week off of conference games will be helpful for us and let us heal a bit as we make a run for getting us into the postseason."
For the game, Rocky Mountain owned a 27-16 advantage in shots, while the corner-kick battle was even at 5-5.
Both goalkeepers came up with big saves, as Lia Unterholzner totaled eight on the afternoon for Rocky, while Corban sophomore goalkeeper Sheyenne Brusven (Silverton, Ore.) racked up nine saves, making a number of diving stops to keep the game tied at 1-1.
Corban (3-9-1, 1-5-1 CCC) returns to the pitch next Saturday when it hosts Trinity Lutheran College on Senior Day at 1 p.m.
Rocky Mountain (7-3-2, 5-1-1 CCC) returns home next weekend for big matchups with Eastern Oregon and Warner Pacific in Billings, Mont.