Armando Guevara scored the game-winner for Corban in the second half of Saturday's game against OIT. (Photo Credit: JD Smith)
SALEM, Ore. – The No. 14 Corban University men's soccer team once again came alive in the second half on Saturday, scoring two goals in the second stanza en route to blanking Oregon Tech, 2-0, and winning its ninth-consecutive contest to open the 2015 campaign. Corban remains the only team in the NAIA to boast a 0.00 goals-against-average.
"I was pleased with all of the guys today that participated in the match," said Warrior head coach Aaron Lewis. "We were able to get some fresh faces in the starting lineup, and those guys did a good job of making OIT work early on. The effort they had to put forth allowed some of the others to come in and find larger pockets to sit in and create, as well as take a little bit of steam out of their counter attacks in the second half."
Saturday's match against OIT felt very similar to Friday's game against Southern Oregon in that the Warriors had trouble breaking down the Owls' defense during the first half, just like against SOU. Warrior junior forward Quamie Dinnall (May Pen, Jamaica) provided the best opportunity in the first 45 minutes for Corban, rocketing a powerful shot on frame and forcing OIT goalkeeper Gerardo Skewes into a diving save.
Oregon Tech (5-5, 3-3 CCC) registered a good chance of its own late in the first half when, after getting in behind Corban's defense, Jackson Wold fired a shot on goal, but the Warrior defense was there to clear it off the line and keep the score level going into the half.
In the second stanza after Lewis's halftime talk with the Warriors, Corban came out firing, as junior midfielder Nathaniel Cheney (Clarkston, Wash.) had his initial shot saved by Skewes, and then his next shot saved by the post, keeping Corban off the scoreboard.
The Warriors finally found the breakthrough in the 62nd minute when Dinnall turned a defender and got around the corner before lacing a low-lining cross into the box, finding junior midfielder Armando Guevara (Salem, Ore.) lurking, and Guevara blasted his left-footed shot into the goal, giving Corban a 1-0 lead. For Guevara, it was his third goal of the campaign.
Corban then sealed the deal in the 88th minute when Dinnall once again penetrated forward at the Owls' defense, and he slipped a perfect through ball to junior forward Bobby Hutchin (Vancouver, Wash.) who finished nicely with his left foot. For Hutchin, it was his third goal of the year.
When the final whistle blew, the starting back-line combination of senior defenders Kellen Luey (Beaverton, Ore.), Tim Kagey (West Linn, Ore.) James Williamson (Coeur d' Alene, Idaho), and freshman defender Iliya Zhividze (Vancouver, Wash.) had recorded another shutout, keeping the shutout streak alive. The Warriors have yet to allow a goal in 720 minutes of action this year. Sophomore goalkeeper Jordan Farr (Turner, Ore.) earned his eighth shutout of the campaign, making two saves in the process.
"It was awesome to see some of the younger players contribute in big ways this weekend," said Lewis. "Nic Farr, Josh Escobar, and Iliya Zhividze all played significant roles at critical times over the last two days, and it appears they are growing in confidence by the week."
Following the match, Dinnall talked about the win in a post-game interview:
Corban (9-0, 4-0 CCC) dominated in the second half, racking up a 15-3 shots' advantage, while owning the 21-9 shots advantage for the match. The Warriors also held the slight edge in corner-kicks, 8-7.
Corban returns to action and plays Northwest Christian University in Springfield next Saturday, October 3. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.