SALEM, Ore. – Unable to convert on a 58th-minute penalty kick ultimately stood to be the difference between a loss and a draw tonight for the Corban University Men's Soccer program, as the NCAA DIII Bearcats of Willamette University were able to complete the shutout of the Warriors at Spark Field. A 20th-minute goal for Bearcats' defender Dylan Ray stood to represent the lone scoring play of the contest and send the Warriors to 0-2 on the early season, while Willamette submitted the result for exhibition status.
"We're ultimately excited about the opportunity to grow from this result and continue to hone our craft as the early season progresses," briefly shared Corban head coach Tim Kagey.
In front of a packed crowd on both the Warriors and Bearcats' Welcome Weekends to kick off their respective fall terms, the crosstown rivals fought through an intense and highly physical match involving 36 fouls and six yellow card bookings, three for each program. Willamette took advantage early not only with the 20th-minute score but controlled possession the first half with seven shots compared to just two for the Navy and Gold.
After redshirt senior goalkeeper Isaac Pureco had turned away multiple shot attempts just through the opening 19 minutes for Corban, Ray found an opening on a shot that trickled through multiple defenders and attackers unscathed to ultimately seal the 1-0 victory for Willamette, with midfielder Brendan Pineda earning the assist on the play.
The Warriors' best opportunity to force a draw came in the 58th minute when a penalty kick was awarded in a handball in the goalkeeper's box against Willamette, with senior forward Nathan Martinez taking the try for Corban. However, with the help of some leeway provided by the line judge on the goal line having moved before the ball was touched by Martinez, Bearcats' goalkeeper Mikkel Jensen was able secure the save and eventually complete the shutout.
A pair of Bearcats in midfielders Lorenzo Trego De Dios and Jackson Cosner tied for the game-high shot and shot on goal totals with three and two apiece, respectively, while Warriors' senior midfielder Santiago Castano finished 2-for-2 in shots that also came on goal.
Corban men's soccer will host their 2025 home opener next Saturday, August 30th at the Outdoor Athletic Complex against Simpson University (0-1) with a 10am scheduled kickoff.
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