Click 'Play Button' on photo above for video highlights. Nathaniel Cheney scored twice in Corban's 4-0 win on Saturday. (Photo Credit: Jessica Marple)
SALEM, Ore. – The Corban University men's soccer team ran its record to a perfect 5-0 start for just the second time in school history thanks to its 4-0 triumph over Simpson University at Warrior Field on Saturday. During its undefeated preseason, Corban has now scored 14 goals on the year without conceding any up to this point heading into Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) play.
Click 'Play Button' on photo above for video highlights of Corban's 4-0 triumph.
Corban opened the scoring following long periods of possession in the first half, finally finding the back of the net in the 28th minute when junior midfielder Nathaniel Cheney (Clarkston, Wash.) fired a right-footed shot past the goalkeeper and into the goal to put the Warriors in front. The assist on the play went to junior forward Bobby Hutchin (Vancouver, Wash.).
The Warriors didn't waste any time in the second stanza and Cheney scored his second and doubled Corban's lead in the 48th minute with a beautiful left-footed strike. Junior midfielder Armando Guevara (Salem, Ore.) was credited with the assist on the play thanks to a nice chipped pass.
"It was fun to see Nathaniel get rewarded today for his consistent hard work off the ball," said head coach Aaron Lewis. "He has always put himself in good positions to threaten opponents, but his ideas and execution during his final touch have grown immensely over time."
In the 60th minute, junior forward Quamie Dinnall (May Pen, Jamaica) laced a left-footed shot from the top of the box into the right side of the goal, pouncing on a poor clearance from Simpson.
The Warriors then made it 4-0 a few minutes later, putting the game well out of reach when Cheney penetrated down the right side of Simpson's defense and crossed a ball into the box, finding freshman forward Nic Farr's (Turner, Ore.) foot, and Farr made no mistake, blasting a one-time shot into the back of the net.
"Our team attack is becoming more coordinated throughout our lines," said Lewis. "We will absolutely continue that attacking mentality as we open conference play next week."
For the game, Corban outshot Simpson, 20-2, and the Warrior defense did not give the Red Hawks any quality opportunities, with Corban sophomore goalkeeper Jordan Farr (Turner, Ore.) forced to make just one save in the shutout victory.
Cheney led the way with five shots, while both Dinnall and Farr added three each for Corban.
After the big win, Cheney talked about the triumph in a post-game interview:
The Warriors return to the pitch and begin CCC play next week when they travel to Montana for a pair of games against new CCC foes, the University of Great Falls and Carroll College on Friday and Sunday. Check Corban's schedule for full details.