Julia Agarkov scored the game-winning goal for Corban in the second overtime on Saturday. (Photo Credit: Doug Pfeiler)
PORTLAND, Ore. - Freshman forward Julia Agarkov (Brush Prairie, Wash.) scored the golden goal that very well could keep the Corban University women's soccer team's playoff hopes alive, pushing the Warriors to a 2-1 triumph over Warner Pacific College on Saturday night.
"Great effort by the team today," said Corban head coach Marty Ziesemer. "It is great to see them execute what we practiced. Today was a great example of gritting out a win. Proud of the team as they stuck with the game plan and kept knocking on the door. We have been working a bit on set plays, and we have been getting more dangerous, so to pull out a win this way is gratifying and a momentum builder."
Warner Pacific struck first in the opening stanza in the 34th minute of play, but Corban responded well, and it was freshman forward Lexi McQueary (Kennewick, Wash.) who chased down a lazy back pass from the Knights and finished to tie the contest at 1-1 in the 41st minute of play. For McQueary, it was her fourth goal of the 2015 campaign.
Corban pressed the issue in the second stanza, but the Warriors were unable to find the breakthrough, leading to extra time.
Neither team scored in the first overtime, setting up the drama in the second overtime period.
After earning a corner kick, Warrior junior defender Olivia Erskine (Chehalis, Wash.) had her header saved initially in the 106th minute of play, but the ball fell to Agarkov who sent the ball into the back of the net for the golden-goal game-winner, sending the Warrior faithful onto the field, celebrating with the hero. For Agarkov, it was her first-career goal, and she couldn't have picked a better time to score it.
The win keeps Corban in the hunt for qualifying for the Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) Tournament with just two matches to play. Corban is now in ninth place in the standings, and the top-eight teams qualify. Click here for a complete look at the CCC standings.
Corban outshot Warner Pacific on the night, 14-9, while also holding the corner-kick edge, 6-3.
The Warriors (5-10-1, 2-6-1 CCC) return to CCC action next weekend when they travel to Northwest University on Friday for a big match and then Evergreen State on Saturday for the 2015 regular-season conclusion. Both kickoffs are set for 2 p.m.