SALEM, Ore. – The Corban University men's soccer team's historic 2015 campaign came to a close on Saturday evening in the NAIA Men's Soccer National Championships Opening Round via a loss to Biola University (Calif.), 3-1. With the win, Biola advances to the NAIA National Championships Final site in Delray Beach, Fla.
Click 'Play Button' on photo above to watch video of Corban's goal.
Photos from the match
"Biola made a couple of big plays on set pieces that forced us to chase the match," said head coach Aaron Lewis. "They are a good team and we wish them the best in Florida."
For the Warriors despite the loss, a number of program records were set in 2015, including fewest goals allowed (10) and lowest goals-against-average (0.49).
In front of a crowd of more than 700 packing the stands at Willamette University's Sparks Field, Corban had a golden opportunity to go in front early when junior midfielder Kemar Prince (Kingston, Jamaica) hit a volley off a corner on goal, but his shot was saved, keeping the score level at 0-0.
Warrior sophomore goalkeeper Jordan Farr (Turner, Ore.) made a fantastic save midway through that first stanza, tipping a shot that was headed on goal just wide to keep the Eagles off the scoreboard.
In the 35th minute of play, the Eagles swung a corner-kick in from the left side, and GSAC Player of the Year Joey O'Keefe put a powerful header on the ball, sending it into the back of the net to put Biola up 1-0.
That is how the score would stay until the second half when both teams came out searching for goals to further their cause. The Eagles got another free kick and after it was flicked on, Stephen Tanquary ripped a left-footed shot into the lower-left corner of the goal, putting the Eagles up 2-0 in the 48th minute.
Corban, knowing it needed to press to try to find two goals now instead of just one, opened the game up with its attack, but nothing was working offensively for the Warriors against a stingy Biola defense.
Then the Warriors received a red card in the 69th minute of play, and playing a man down for the final 20 minutes, things did not look good for the Navy and Gold.
Less than 30 seconds later, however, junior forward Quamie Dinnall (May Pen, Jamaica) played a perfect through ball in behind the Eagle defense, and junior forward Bobby Hutchin (Vancouver, Wash.) took a touch around the keeper and slotted home his shot in the 70th minute, halving the deficit and sending the Warrior faithful into a frenzy.
Corban looked primed and ready to equalize, but it was Biola who finished off the contest in the 77th minute of play with a third and final goal. After the Eagles had their initial shot saved, O'Keefe followed up with a blistering shot into the goal, clinching the win for the traveling Eagles.
Corban (17-3-1) tried to muster up a few late chances, but playing down a man and down two goals was too much to overcome, resulting in the 3-1 defeat for the Warriors.
"I'm so thankful to have had an opportunity to coach our four seniors," said Lewis. "They are all unique to lead and have each added so much to our program."
On the evening, Biola outshot Corban, 18-14, while Corban racked up seven corner-kicks to Biola's two.
Biola (15-4-1) heads to Florida now to take on Missouri Valley on Monday, November 30th in the Round of 16.
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