Corban Men’s Soccer Season Ends in Heartbreaking Overtime Loss at Hastings

11/18/2017 8:23:00 PM

Danny Day, Director of Athletic Communications

HASTINGS, Neb. – The Corban University men's soccer team's season came to a heartbreaking end on Saturday in the NAIA National Championship Opening Round, as the Warriors fell in overtime to the defending national champions, Hastings College (Neb.), 2-1.

"I am extremely proud of the way this team played tonight," said Corban head coach Aaron Lewis. "They put themselves in position to beat the defending national champions on the road late in the game. We want to thank our seniors for their passion, leadership, and unwavering commitment to our team."

Despite the loss, just by playing in the NAIA Opening Round, it marked the fifth-straight year that Corban had qualified for the NAIA National Tournament, becoming the only team in the Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) to do so over the last five years. Since head coach Aaron Lewis took over in 2013, the Warriors have appeared in at least one national tournament game every year.

In a back-and-forth first half, Corban had the defending national champions their heels, and after a shot was saved, the Warriors had a shot on an open goal from 12 yards out, but the shot was blasted over the top, keeping the score level at 0-0.

The Broncos took the lead in the 28^th minute when Ceruli Murilo scored to give the home side the advantage. The score remained that way at the half, with both sides registering six shots apiece in the first 45 minutes.

Corban battled back in the second half and earned a penalty kick in the 53^rd minute of play, and Rolando Velazquez stepped up to the spot and blasted his shot into back of the net, tying the match at 1-1.

The Warriors then had a golden opportunity to win it late in regulation when another Corban player was fouled in the box with five minutes remaining on the clock, but this time, the penalty kick was saved, sending the match to a golden goal overtime.

In the overtime period, a through ball found its way in behind the Corban defense, and Daniel Simonis finished off the chance, winning it for the Broncos.

Jordan Farr finished with eight saves in his final match as a Warrior.

Hastings (19-3) advances to the NAIA Final Site with the win and will take on No. 2-seeded William Carey in Delray Beach, Fla.

Corban finishes the 2017 campaign with a 15-3-4 overall record and its fifth-straight trip to nationals.