BOX SCORE
SALEM, Ore. – The freshman duo of
Bobby Hutchin and
Kemar Prince helped the NAIA's No. 20-ranked Corban men's soccer team clinch its second playoff berth in the past three seasons, as the Warriors defeated Warner Pacific, 1-0, Saturday on Warrior Field.
"It was nice to see our midfield and forward lines work well together to create the game-winner today, as the guys have been working on connecting in that way more effectively," said head coach
Aaron Lewis. "We are excited to have the opportunity to have another productive week together in training, as we realize we have a chance to position ourselves well heading into the postseason if we can get some good results next weekend."
Corban (11-1-2, 8-1-2 CCC) returned to its winning ways following its first loss of the season earlier this week to Concordia, as Hutchin scored his team-high tying fifth goal of the season in the 32nd minute off Prince's team-high tying third assist of the year.
After a scoreless 31-plus minutes, Prince would find Hutchin with a through ball into the box where the first-year Warrior dribbled around Warner Pacific's goalkeeper before pocketing a wide-open shot into the back of the net for the eventual game-winner at the 31:23 mark giving him two game-winning goals on the season.
Warner Pacific (3-9-0, 2-8-0 CCC) would control the offensive flow over the opening 20 minutes before Corban began to slowly chip away at the Knights' armor. Warner Pacific's best scoring chance came in the 15th minute when Riley Bufford forced Corban's freshman goalkeeper
Jordan Farr to make his first save of the afternoon before Josh Wright blasted the deflected save high of the goal to keep the game scoreless.
With the target on their back as a nationally-ranked team, the host Warriors had to battle throughout the game with Warner Pacific despite owning a 12-to-6 advantage in total shots. Even though Corban held the advantage in total shots, the host Knights would put one more shot on goal (4-to-3) than the Warriors.
Farr registered a game-high four saves for Corban, as the first-year Warrior picked up his eighth shutout of the season to set a new single-season school-record surpassing former Warrior Mike Patron who accomplished the feat twice (1994 &1997) during his career. At the other end of the field, Warner Pacific's Dorian Lair tallied three saves for the Knights despite allowing the only goal.
Corban will return to action on Friday, November 1st, when the Warriors host The College of Idaho at 3:00 p.m. on Warrior Field in Salem.
