Corban's Timur Zhividze scored the game-winning goal on Friday. (Photo Credit: JD Smith)
SPRINGFIELD, Ore. – The No. 13-ranked and No. 3-seeded Corban University men's soccer team scored a first-half goal and then played solid all-around team defense en route to defeating No. 6-seeded Northwest University, 1-0. The Warriors advance to play No. 2-seeded Rocky Mountain College in the CCC Tournament semifinals on Saturday.
"Today was a good tournament performance," said Corban head coach Aaron Lewis. "The guys stayed composed, organized, and found the winner."
The match started out well for the Warriors, with Alex Segovia getting in behind the defense, but his 1v1 breakaway was saved by Northwest goalkeeper, Daniel Christenson.
The Eagles then created a couple of good opportunities, but Warrior goalkeeper Jordan Farr made a pair of nice snags on dangerous crosses while also making a save between the pipes.
Corban went in front in the 29th minute of play when Jordan Moss threaded the needle with a through ball to Timur Zhividze, and Zhividze buried his shot into the bottom corner, putting the Warriors up 1-0. For Zhividze, it was his CCC-leading 16th goal of the year.
The half ended with Corban tallying nine shots to just three for the Eagles, but the score remained 1-0.
In the second half, the Warriors almost doubled their lead on a few occasions, but once again, it was Daniel Christenson who was up to the challenge, making full-stretch one-handed saves to keep the match close.
In the end, Farr and the entire Warrior defense finished out the shutout of the Eagles, winning 1-0. Corban held the 19-7 shots advantage for the match, while Northwest tallied five corner-kicks to just one for Corban.
In the shutout win, Farr registered three saves, while in the defeat, Christenson finished with nine saves to close out his Eagle career.
Corban (15-1-3) returns to the pitch tomorrow afternoon at 4 p.m. to take on No. 2-seeded Rocky Mountain College (Mont.) in the CCC Tournament semifinals. Live stats/live video will be available here.