Timur Zhividze found the back of the net on a beautiful free kick that resulted in the 1-0 win for Corban. (Photo Credit: JD Smith)
SALEM, Ore. – Timur Zhividze scored a beautiful free kick on Friday afternoon, lifting the No. 5-ranked Corban University men's soccer team to a 1-0 triumph over Oregon Tech. The win sets up a showdown between the two remaining undefeated teams in the Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) on Saturday with Southern Oregon University coming to town.
"Our possession tempo picked up today compared to the last couple of weeks and it allowed us some extended time on the ball," said Corban head coach Aaron Lewis. "I felt that possession limited their chances and our defensive transitions were good enough to get the shutout."
It only took one moment of magic on Friday to secure the Warriors' ninth win of the year, as after being fouled on the top of the 18-yard box, Zhividze curled the perfectly placed free kick into the top-left corner of the goal in the 17th minute, putting the Warriors up 1-0.
Corban held the 11-4 shots' advantage at the halftime break to go with a pair of corner kicks to none for Oregon Tech.
In the second half, the Owls threatened on a pair of occasions, but Corban's Jordan Farr came up with the big-time saves, keeping Oregon Tech off the board. Ultimately, while playing up a goal in the second half, the Warriors just maintained possession and saw the game out, staying organized from front to back in the CCC victory.
Corban finished the match with 15 shots and the Owls with eight.
Farr finished the afternoon with three important saves in the shutout victory.
Corban (9-0-1, 5-0-0 CCC) returns to the pitch tomorrow when it hosts Southern Oregon University (5-5-0, 5-0-0 CCC). Kickoff at the CFC Soccer Complex is slated for 3 p.m.