The Corban Women's Soccer team took a second-half lead on Friday, but ultimately dropped the game in overtime, 3-2. (Photo Credit: Sheldon Traver)
SALEM, Ore. – Despite taking a second-half lead in its 2015 season-opener, the Corban University women's soccer team ended up on the losing end of an overtime battle against the University of the Fraser Valley (Canada), 3-2.
"While I am disappointed in losing this match, I am really pleased with how we played today against a quality team," said head coach Marty Ziesemer. "We will only continue to develop and improve as the season continues."
The Cascades, who were one of the top teams in Canada in 2015, got on the board first when Monika Levarsky found the back of the net on a breakaway.
In the 24th minute, Corban tied the game up when senior midfielder Ashley Beykovsky (Gladstone, Ore.) calmly slotted home her penalty-kick opportunity, leveling the score at 1-1.
Both teams registered a few more good chances in the first half, with Fraser Valley ultimately outshooting the Warriors during the first 45 minutes, 9-7. With the score level heading into the second stanza, both sides began the period on the front foot, trying to take the lead.
Corban found what it was looking for first when sophomore forward Sadee Kallis (Yakima, Wash.) ripped a left-footed shot past the Fraser Valley goalkeeper in the 60th minute, giving the Navy and Gold its first lead of the 2015 campaign. She received the ball off of a cross from sophomore defender Taylor McLaughlin (Salem, Ore.) which was then flicked onto Kallis by senior forward Randi Donahue (Bellingham, Wash.). Both players received assists on the play.
Watch Kallis' goal:
Not backing down, however, the Cascades brought the game level once again in the 74th minute when Brittney Zacharuk found the ball at her feet after Warrior sophomore goalkeeper Sheyenne Brusven (Silverton, Ore.) made a great sliding tackle to stop the initial chance. Zacharuk then calmly passed the ball into the open goal to tie the contest at 2-2.
With the game still level after 90 minutes, the contest headed to overtime, and Fraser Valley received a penalty kick after a Corban handball in the box in the 96th minute. Shelby Beck laced her opportunity into the left side of the net, ending the game with the golden goal.
For the match, Fraser Valley outshot Corban, 16-12, while Corban actually put more shots on target, 8-7. Leading the attack for Corban was Kallis with three shots, while senior forward Katelyn Fekkes (Stanwood, Wash.), Beykovsky, and junior midfielder Amber Lennier (Tracy, Calif.) all recorded two shots on the afternoon.
Brusven, despite giving up three goals, was solid in goal all game long, making four saves for the Warriors.
Corban returns to action next Saturday, August 29, when it hosts NCAA Division II opponent, Saint Martin's University. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. If you can't make it to the game, be sure to follow the action online via live stats and the live video feed.