Warrior Men’s Soccer Season Ends after 2-1 Loss in NAIA Final 16 to #2 Oklahoma Wesleyan

11/27/2018 5:44:00 PM

Danny Day, Assistant Athletic Director - External Operations

IRVINE, Calif. – Despite drawing first blood, the No. 15-seeded Corban University men's soccer team fell victim to a pair of brilliant goals in the team's Round of 16 matchup against No. 2-seeded Oklahoma Wesleyan University on Tuesday afternoon, falling by a final score of 2-1. The defeat marks the end of what has been a magical season for the Warriors, with the trip to the NAIA Final Site being just the second in program history.

"The result did not end up as we'd hoped," said Corban head coach Aaron Lewis, "but the guys proved again that they are amongst the best in the country and that they have moved this program closer to the ultimate on-field goal. We want to thank our seniors for their consistent effort and quality representation of our program during their time here."

The Warriors have now made two trips to the NAIA Final Site and Round of 16 in the last three years, building on the six-consecutive trips to the NAIA National Tournament. Corban is the only team in the west region to have earned a berth in the NAIA National Tournament six-straight seasons.

The first half moved at a furious pace, with both teams frantically pursuing the early advantage. Despite Oklahoma Wesleyan registering a number of good-looking shots early on, it was Corban's Camilo Avendano who would provide the game's first score, as the junior midfielder rifled one past the Eagles' goalkeeper to put the Warriors ahead in the 32^nd minute of play. Watch the goal here:

It felt as if the momentum had shifted Corban's way after claiming the early lead, but Oklahoma Wesleyan's Stefan Cvetanovic blasted an absolutely breathtaking volley past an outstretched Jordan Salim to provide a resounding answer for the Eagles at the end of the first half.

Just before the end of the stanza, Corban almost scored its second of the match when Alan Cruz Ramirez curled a free kick over the wall, but a diving save sent the contest into the half tied at 1-1.

It was Pedro Alberto Benito Ponomar who netted the game-winner for Oklahoma Wesleyan, diving forward to sneak a header just inside the left post in the 63^rd minute and give the Eagles the 2-1 lead.

The Warriors, unfazed, continued to work the ball into the attacking third, creating a number of opportunities in the box, but Oklahoma Wesleyan's defense made a few key blocks on shots and crosses that looked destined to create a goal. All of the way up until the last second, the Warriors threatened and sent a desperation ball into the box, and after a header towards goal, Corban almost buried a last-second shot to tie the match.

In the Round of 16 loss, Salim played valiantly in goal, racking up seven total saves, including six point-blank 1v1 stops that looked destined for the back of the net. 

CLICK HERE to watch the post-match interview with head coach Aaron Lewis.
CLICK HERE to watch the post-match interview with seniors Alex Segovia and Igor Hubenya.

 Corban finishes the 2018 campaign with a 15-4-1 overall record.