Corban Men’s Soccer Books Ticket to NAIA Championship Final Site with 3-2 Overtime Win over ACU

11/17/2018 8:40:00 PM

Danny Day, Assistant Athletic Director - External Operations

SALEM, Ore. – In one of the most thrilling games in Corban University men's soccer history, the Warriors won via a golden goal in the first overtime on Saturday, downing Arizona Christian University in the NAIA Opening Round, 3-2. The win books Corban's ticket to the NAIA Final Site for the second time in the last three years in the midst of the six-consecutive seasons competing in the NAIA National Tournament.

Click the 'Play Button' on the photo above to watch video highlights from the victory.

"It was a special day for our team and program," said Corban head coach Aaron Lewis. "The last three seasons, we have consistently played better in the national tournament, and I think belief in each other is sky-high right now."

Corban went in front in the 32^nd minute of play when Wade Coetzee buried a shot from close range to put the Navy and Gold up, 1-0.

The Firestorm responded with a goal from German Lopez just six minutes later however, sending the match into halftime tied at 1-1.

In the second stanza, the Warriors peppered the Firestorm goal time after time, but ACU's Luke Holtz made a number of tremendous diving saves, keeping Corban off the board.

Alex Segovia eventually found the breakthrough for the Warriors in the 73^rd minute of play, volleying in a shot off a Camilo Avendano corner-kick.

Once again though, ACU provided the response with a goal in the 84^th minute, as Stefan Tomasevic scored via a volley to make it 2-2, sending the match to overtime.

In the first overtime period, Corban continued knocking on the door, and the match looked as if it would head to a second overtime. After Segovia pinged a shot off the crossbar in the final minute of the first overtime, however, it fell to Igor Hubenya who touched it to Kohl Hurtado who then fed Alan Cruz Ramirez who blasted his shot into the back of the net for the golden goal.

CLICK HERE to watch the post-game interview with Cruz Ramirez.
CLICK HERE to watch the post-game interview with Coach Lewis.

Corban outshot ACU (15-5-2) on the day, 33-19, and held the 7-5 corner-kick advantage.

No. 15-seeded Corban (15-3-1) returns to the field on Tuesday, November 27, against No. 2-seeded Oklahoma Wesleyan University. Kickoff in Irvine, Calif., is slated for 11 a.m.