Corban won in a penalty-kick shootout to advance to the CCC semis. (Photo Credit: Ashlyn Englehorn)
SPRINGFIELD, Ore. – It took 110 minutes and a penalty-kick shootout, but the No. 4-seeded Corban University women's soccer team survived and advanced on a freezing cold Friday night, defeating No. 5-seeded Southern Oregon University in penalty kicks to advance to the Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) semifinals. The Warriors will now play No. 6-seeded Northwest University on Saturday night at 7 p.m. in the semis.
"Southern Oregon played very well in the first 20 minutes," said Corban head coach Likius Hafeni. "We struggled to get our rhythm, but we came out in the second half and put them under pressure. We are very excited to be in the semifinals and are looking forward to our game tomorrow."
Southern Oregon had much of the play during the first half, outshooting Corban 11-1. The Warriors responded in the second stanza, however, dominating much of the play. The Raiders went in front though, as with their only shot of the half, SOU took a 1-0 lead in the 69th minute of play.
From that point on, Corban pressed the issue, knowing it needed an equalizer in order to keep its season alive. Holly Martinez Moorman scored the game-tying goal in the 84th minute of action, sending the contest into overtime.
Neither side found the breakthrough in the overtime periods, sending the match to a penalty-kick shootout to decide who would advance to the semifinals.
In the shootout, Sheyenne Brusven came up with a pair of critical saves for the Warriors, setting up Nadine Correa, Corban's fifth and final shooter to win it. Correa stepped up and calmly slotted the ball into the back of the net, sending the Warriors to the CCC Tournament semifinals.
For Corban, it is the team's first trip to the CCC semis since 2014.
The two sides finished even on shots with 14 apiece for the night, while Corban totaled nine corner-kicks to four for the Raiders.
The Warriors (10-6-2) return to the field tomorrow night against the Eagles for a 7 p.m. kickoff. The match will once again have live stats/live video here.