SALEM, Ore. – The first recorded minutes for a true freshman aboard the Corban University Women's Soccer team proved to be the difference between the Warriors and either their first draw or win of the 2025 regular season, as a 78th-minute goal by forward Kate Dickson broke a 1-1 tie with NCAA DIII Lewis & Clark College and provided newly appointed head coach Brooke Alteneder with her first win as a collegiate head coach.
"Overall, it was a very well-played game," Coach Alteneder detailed regarding tonight's victory. "We stuck to our gameplan, made smart runs, brought the right intensity, and it paid off with a win. I'm really proud of how quickly we made adjustments from our last game to be more efficient and attacking minded. As a coach, it's always rewarding to see the team succeed and walk off the field with smiles. Now, our focus shifts to the next game."
After being held scoreless in their season-opener against Pacific University last Saturday, the Warriors (1-1-0) jumped on the scoreboard first today against the Pioneers, who were utilizing tonight's matchup as an exhibition contest. Corban's leading goal scorer in 2024, sophomore forward Maya Alston, was the first to score in 2025 after hitting a 25-yard screamer into the back of the net from outside the penalty box in the 20th minute. Freshman midfielder Sadie Schweitzer was credited with an assist on the Warriors' first scoring play of the season.
Following the halftime break trailing 1-0, the Lewis & Clark evened the playing field with a 61st-minute goal, as defender Kate Meinhard moved up to the forward position and scored on a cross into the box from forward Mischa Vanek.
Nearly 18 minutes later, Dickson and Alston converged on the Lewis & Clark defensive unit following a goal kick attempt, who had mistakenly played back to goalkeeper Brie Maker, leaving her hands-free and 1-on-1 with Alston. With Dickson all alone just feet from the goal line, Alston wisely connected with Dickson to fend off the final defender and score the game-winning goal.
Despite numerous attempts, Corban junior goalkeeper Ava Hayes was able to keep the Pioneers at bay for the remainder of the contest and collect seven saves along the way to her first win of the 2025 season. Lewis & Clark saw three separate goalkeepers log minutes and make at least one save, with Delaney Jones representing the lone Pio to submit a clean sheet during her 34 minutes played.
Alston led the field of attackers with a full 90 minutes played and game-high six shots, setting the bar for shots on goal as well with four resulting in goals or saves. The aggressive offense for Lewis & Clark nearly paid off on a handful of occasions if it weren't for saves made by Hayes, as Meinhard led the team with five shots, four of which were on goal. The Pios outshot the Warriors 19-11 and led in shots on goal 9-6.
The Warriors will hit the road for the remainder of the month and first week of September, as they'll compete in a friendly scrimmage in Vancouver, Washington tomorrow against Clark College before their next counting contest on Saturday, September 6th against Hope International University (1-0-0) at 12:30pm on the campus of Southern Oregon University in Ashland.
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