Corban went in front early, but Carroll came back to score two goals and secure the road triumph.
SALEM, Ore. – On what was the wettest day of the 2016 fall season thus far, the Corban University women’s soccer team went in front against the defending Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) champs, Carroll College, but the Fighting Saints ultimately came back to win on the road, 2-1.
“It was an even game, and both teams played well, “said Corban head coach Likius Hafeni. “Unfortunately we conceded a goal off a cross in the second half, and even though we pushed for the second goal, we came up short. I am proud of the girls for not giving up!”
Corban pressed immediately against the 2015 CCC regular season and tournament champs, and after totaling five corner-kicks inside of the first five minutes, the Warriors got on the board in the fifth minute when freshman defender Nicolle Ohama curled a corner-kick towards the goal. Carroll’s goalkeeper, Jamie Carter, challenged for the ball in the air, but after making contact with the ball on a punch, the ball ricocheted back into her own goal, resulting in Corban going in front, 1-0, via the own goal.
With much of the momentum early on, the Warriors had the wind at their backs and continued to pepper the Saints’ goal. Corban almost scored again when senior forward Randi Donahue ripped a right-footed shot towards the bottom-left corner of the goal, but Carter got a hand to it, tipping it and the ball then hit the post and bounced out.
Carroll settled in not long after, however, and in the 22nd minute, broke the Warrior defense down and got in behind. Michaela Kueffler hit a hard shot on goal, forcing Warrior goalkeeper Sheyenne Brusven to make a diving save, but on the rebound off of the save, Charly Clements was there to tap it in, tying the game at 1-1.
The match remained tied at the half, with Corban holding the slight edge in shots, 7-6, while also recording the advantage in corner-kicks, 6-1.
In the second half, Carroll (5-3, 2-0 CCC) found the game-winner when Payton Netz headed a ball into the back of the net off of a cross from Natalie Johnston in the 60th minute, putting the Saints up 2-1.
While Corban tried to threaten and find a late equalizer, it was not meant to be as the Warriors were only able to register one shot officially in the second stanza, resulting in the one-goal defeat.
For the match, Carroll held the slight edge in shots, 11-8, while Corban still owned the corner-kick battle, 7-5.
Corban (5-4, 1-1 CCC) returns to CCC play next weekend when it travels south to take on Southern Oregon University and Oregon tech. Kickoffs are set for 3 p.m. and 4 p.m.