Click the 'Play Button' on the photo above for video highlights of Corban's comeback victory.
SALEM, Ore. – The No. 10-ranked Corban University men's soccer team found itself trailing 2-0 in the second half of its 2017 season-opener on Sunday evening, but three second-half goals pushed the Warriors over the top of their cross-town rivals, Willamette University, in a 3-2 victory. For Corban, it marks the program's seventh-straight campaign with a win on opening day.
Click the 'Play Button' on the photo above for video highlights from the win.
"Willamette was very organized tonight defensively and difficult for us to break down," said Corban head coach Aaron Lewis. "I'm happy that we ultimately found ways to score, but we'll need to be quicker with the ball and better in our transitions moving forward."
Willamette struck first in the 20th minute of play, pouncing on a mistake in the back from the Warriors and scored a 1v1 breakaway to go up 1-0.
The Warriors pressed for the remainder of the first stanza, creating numerous chances, but six quality saves from Willamette's Quinn Nottage kept Corban off the scoreboard at the break. Corban held the 13-3 shots advantage at halftime, but trailed by the one goal.
In the second half, Corban looked as if it would equalize on a number of occasions early, but shots from six yards out and inside of the 18-yard box sailed over and wide of the net.
The Bearcats then countered after another Warrior giveaway and scored to make it 2-0 in the 58th minute of play.
Just a couple of minutes later, however, Jesse Martin scored his first-career goal for Corban on a mistake by the Willamette goalkeeper to halve the deficit.
On the next attacking sequence down the pitch for Corban only a minute after that first goal by Martin, Christian Silva lofted a cross to the back post and found the head of Rolando Velazquez, and Velazquez buried his header to tie the match at 2-2.
The game remained level until the 83rd minute of play when Timur Zhividze ripped a half-volley into the back of the net from 18 yards out, securing the 3-2 triumph for the Warriors.
Corban boasted a 24-8 shots advantage for the match, and held the slight edge in corner-kicks, 3-2.
The Warriors (1-0) return to action next Sunday when they travel north to Forest Grove to take on Pacific University. Kickoff on Sunday evening is scheduled for 7 p.m.