Click the 'Play Button' on the photo above for video highlights from Corban's historic win. (Photo Credit: Doug Pfeiler)
SALEM, Ore. – In front of a crowd of nearly 800, the Corban University men's soccer team made history with a 1-0 win over Menlo College in the NAIA National Championships Opening Round on Saturday, punching its ticket to the National Championship final site in Delray Beach, Fla. For the Warriors, it is the first time in program history that the team has won an opening round match and advanced to the final site.
Click the 'Play Button' on the photo above for video highlights from the historic win.
"The team's result today helped the program surge through another major feat," said Corban head coach Aaron Lewis.
For the Warriors, it was a big save from Jordan Farr early that kept the Oaks off of the scoreboard. After Menlo's David Beary found himself in behind the Warrior defense inside of the six-yard box, he fired a shot headed for the back of the net, but Farr made himself big and came up with the point-blank range save to keep the score at 0-0.
Corban responded with a couple opportunities of its own, but the Oaks did well to clear a pair of balls off the line, keeping the match level heading into the second stanza.
In the second half, both sides generated chances in a back and forth contest, but it was the Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) Player of the Year, Timur Zhividze, that came up big for the Warriors in the 73rd minute. After a ball was played into the box, Zhividze pounced on the loose ball, beat a pair of defenders, and then found the back of the net with a left-footed shot. For Zhividze, the goal was his 22nd of the year and eighth game-winner.
Menlo tried to tie things up late, and had a free kick just outside the box as the clock counted down, but Farr made a diving save to seal the victory, sending Corban to the NAIA Final site for the first time ever.
With 20 wins on the year, Corban continues to build on its record-breaking season, and is one of two teams at the NAIA Final Site with 20 or more wins.
"We are confident in one another and have our sites now on continuing to advance," said Lewis. "When belief truly sets in upon a group, special things can happen, and that is occurring in this team right now."
For the match, Menlo held the slight edge in shots, 10-7, while Corban recorded seven corner-kicks to six for Menlo (15-5-1). In the team's 11th shutout of the year, Farr made four saves.
Following the match, Lewis and Zhividze talked about the historic day in a post-match interview:
Corban (20-2) takes a break from action during the Thanksgiving week before heading to Delray Beach, Fla. to compete at the NAIA Men's Soccer National Championships Final Site. The Warriors will face off against the defending NAIA National Champion, the University of Rio Grande (Ohio), on Tuesday, November 29, in the tournament's Second Round. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. EST. Live Stats and Live video will be available for purchase here. NAIA Championship Tournament Info. BRACKET