LA GRANDE, Ore. – The Corban University men's soccer team failed to score for only the second time this year, and it cost the Warriors dearly as they fell to Eastern Oregon University (EOU) 2-0 on Friday afternoon on the road in Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) play.
The Warriors got an early opportunity to strike when junior forward Quamie Dinnall (May Pen, Jamaica) unleashed a shot on target in the fourth minute. Unfortunately for Dinnall and Corban, however, Mountaineer goalkeeper Alfredo Lara saved the shot to prevent a goal. While both teams had a number of chances on goal, the game remained scoreless through the entirety of the first half.
In the second stanza, Osvaldo Martinez scored on a penalty kick in the 54th minute to put EOU up 1-0. Less than three minutes later, the Mountaineers scored again on a goal by Robert Wilson that increased the lead to 2-0. The game would play out without another goal scored, sending EOU to its fifth win of the season.
On the day, Corban had a large percentage of the chances, outshooting the Mountaineers 17-12 and holding the advantage on corner-kicks 7-3. However, EOU took better advantage of its shots, putting five of the 12 on target and ultimately scoring twice.
Fact of the day: There were 33 fouls total on the day, including seven yellow cards and two red cards (both on EOU).
"Credit Eastern Oregon today for making a couple of big plays and not allowing us a breakthrough moment," said Corban head coach Aaron Lewis. "We are thankful tomorrow for another opportunity to improve. As the stakes get higher we'll need to be better in all facets."
The Warriors were led offensively by Dinnall with six shots (one on frame) and junior midfielder Nathaniel Cheney (Clarkston, Wash.) with four shots.
With the loss, Corban drops to 13-2 (8-2 CCC), while EOU improves to 5-8 (4-7 CCC) with the win.
The Warriors will travel to Portland, Ore. tomorrow to take on Warner Pacific College in another CCC matchup, beginning at 9 p.m. The match will be played at Portland Adventist Academy.
