Katelyn Fekkes led the Warriors with five shots on the day. (Photo Credit: Doug Pfeiler)
ROCKLIN, Calif. – The Corban University women's soccer team opened its 2014 campaign on Wednesday afternoon with a 2-1 triumph over NCAA Division II opponent, Holy Names University (Calif.). Two newcomers to the Warrior squad proved to be the difference as Corban won its fifth-consecutive season-opener.
During a first half that was dominated by Corban in shots, 9-2, Holy Names took advantage of one of its opportunities and found the back of the net in the 27th minute to nab the 1-0 advantage.
Corban responded before the stroke of halftime, however, as freshman defender Marissa Telarroja (Claremont, Calif.) scored in her collegiate debut to bring the game level in the 42nd minute. For Telarroja, who was a first-half substitute, it was her only shot of the match.
In the second stanza, the Warriors locked down defensively and did not allow the Hawks to register a single shot, while offensively, Corban recorded five. Two more freshman substitutes combined on the winning goal for the Warriors as forward Sadee Kallis (Yakima, Wash.) found midfielder Dani Morseman (Cashmere, Wash.) with a pass, and Morseman made no mistake, burying the game-winner in the 82nd minute.
"We played well for our first game of the year and it was a good team effort, with everybody stepping up," stated Corban head women's soccer coach, Marty Ziesemer. "It was not just one person, and that is what I really enjoyed seeing at this point in the season."
On the day, Corban outshot Holy Names, 14-2, and registered nine corner kicks compared to zero for the Hawks. Senior goalkeeper Kaitlyn Mendenhall (Windsor, Calif.) earned the win in goal for the Warriors, playing all 90 minutes while notching one save.
Junior forward Katelyn Fekkes (Stanwood, Wash.) led Corban offensively with five shots, while senior midfielder Sierra Brusven (Silverton, Ore.) racked up three shots.
The Warriors (1-0) return to action on Friday when they take on William Jessup University (Calif.). Kickoff is set for 12:30 p.m. in Rocklin, Calif.