EUGENE, Ore. – For the first time in school history the Northwest Christian University men’s soccer team has pulled out a season sweep over a Cascade Collegiate Conference rival, taking down Corban University on Saturday afternoon at the Regional Sports Center in Springfield, 2-1. NCU won 4-3 in Salem earlier this season.
Aaron Dilla (pictured) broke a scoreless tie in the 11th minute, giving Northwest Christian a 1-0 lead after a free-kick from freshman Defender Lucas Cash. The Warriors responded in the 37th minute on a penalty kick by Aaron Kinnes and the game was knotted 1-1 as the teams headed into the second half.
Denton Brown got his own penalty kick try in the 60th minute, and successfully found the back of the net for the game-winner as NCU held on for the 2-1 score.
Corban (5-7-1, 4-5 CCC) out-shot the Beacons 19-11 in the game, including a 10-6 edge in shots on goal. The Warriors also had a golden opportunity for the equalizer with under 20 minutes to play. A header off of a corner kick approached the goal line, but was alertly headed out of danger by a Beacon defender for a team save.
Beacon Goalkeeper Nick Kratzke picked up his sixth win of the season and recorded eight saves. Northwest Christian improves to 6-7 overall and 3-6 in the CCC, setting a new school record for conference wins.
Northwest Christian will be back in action on Friday afternoon when they head to Caldwell, Idaho to face the College of Idaho at 2:00 pm.