Freshman Peter Martin scored the first two goals of his collegiate career Tuesday in helping Corban defeat Oregon Tech in its next-to-last home game of the season.
Martin Leads Corban Over Oregon Tech
BOX SCORE
SALEM, Ore. – Freshman Peter Martin (Salem, Ore.) scored his first two collegiate goals Tuesday afternoon, as Corban's men's soccer team picked up a 2-0 victory over the Hustlin' Owls of Oregon Tech on Warrior Field.
With the win, Corban improves to 3-10-1 overall and 2-9-0 in Cascade Collegiate Conference play. On the other hand, Oregon Tech had its four-game winning streak snapped dropping to 8-5-1 overall and 5-4-1 in conference action.
"It was really nice to see us finish for a change," said fourth-year head coach Dave Irby. "Overall, we have been playing well and finally added some goals to that good play. Even with [Mark] Mendenhall's injury in the first half, [Chris] Smerke did a great job defensively in his role. We have played some really good soccer lately, but have not been able to finish. The guys really stepped up today and I give a lot of credit to our bench, as they were up to the challenge."
In a very well played and even game, Corban got on the board first at the 35:19 mark when junior Aaron Paulson (St. Helens, Ore.) sent a bending ball into the box. Oregon Tech's keeper, who was playing aggressively, came out to challenge the crossing pass only to find the ball sail over his head to sophomore Devin Chaney (Helena, Mont.). After beating one defender to his right, Chaney sent a pass to Martin on the goal line where the West Salem High School graduate knocked home the eventual game-winning score and gave the host team the early 1-0 lead.
The host Warriors would hold the one-goal advantage into halftime after controlling the offensive flow throughout the opening 45 minutes. Corban would register five more shots (8-3) than Oregon Tech, while earning the half's lone corner kick.
Twenty-three minutes into the second half, Corban notched an insurance goal when freshman Jin-Hoon Brooks (Dallas, Ore.) sent a crossing pass along the end line towards OIT's goal. Without hesitation, Martin blasted a diving header into the back of the net at the 68:00 mark for his second score of the afternoon.
Trailing by two goals, Oregon Tech began to apply the offensive pressure but could not crack the Warriors' defense. Senior goalkeeper Aaron Franklin (Red Bluff, Calif.) made three keys saves over the game's final 22 minutes, while freshman T.J. Bacewich (Sherwood, Ore.) almost notched Corban's third goal in the 89th minute when he rocketed a right-footed shot from just outside the penalty area that was fisted over the cross bar by a leaping OIT net-minder.
Bachwich led Corban with five shots, while a trio of Warriors – Martin, Chaney, and sophomore Nolan Dempster (Hillsboro, Ore.) – registered two shots each.
Oregon Tech would platoon its keepers, as Tommy Burden stood between the pipes for the opening 45 minutes and made three saves before giving way to Skyler Holt for the game's final half. Burden took the loss, as he allowed the eventual game-winning goal and Holt made three saves during his time in goal for the Owls.
Corban returns to the field on Saturday, October 31st, when they travel to Caldwell, Idaho for a return match up with the 'Yotes of The College of Idaho beginning at 3:00 p.m. inside Simplot Stadium.