PRESCOTT, Ariz. – The Corban University men's soccer team completed one of the more dramatic wins in recent history on Saturday in Arizona, as the Warriors came from behind to score two goals in the final six minutes of the contest to defeat Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Ariz.), 2-1. Playing the hero for Corban was junior forward Timur Zhividze, scoring both goals for the Warriors to lift the Navy and Gold to the non-conference triumph.
"I am proud that our group ultimately found solutions to the situations that Embry-Riddle did a good job to create," said Corban head coach Aaron Lewis. "Collectively we are currently grinding out results, and we look forward to connecting more fluidly moving forward within our system."
Following a first half that saw neither team break through, Embry-Riddle scored the game's opening goal in the 66th minute on a powerful header into the top-left corner of the goal off of a corner kick. Stuart Graves was the goal scorer off of the assist from Joel Paget.
Corban then tried relentlessly to pull the equalizer back, but it seemed as if the Warriors were not going to be able to find the breakthrough.
Then, in the 84th minute of play, Corban was awarded a penalty kick, and it was Zhividze who stepped up to take it for the Warriors. After his initial shot was saved, he calmly followed it up and found the back of the net on the rebound, leveling the contest at 1-1.
Less than two minutes later after some nice build up play, junior midfielder Rolando Velazquez played a perfect through ball in behind the Embry-Riddle (0-2) defense, and Zhividze ran onto the pass, just beating the goalkeeper to the ball. Zhividze then lifted his shot over the goalie and into the back of the net, putting Corban in front for good.
The Warriors locked down defensively after that, not allowing another shot en route to the thrilling 2-1 triumph over the Eagles.
Zhividze led the way with eight shots for the Warriors, while Velazquez notched three on the afternoon. For the match, Corban totaled 16 shots, including 11 in the second half, while Embry-Riddle recorded six total shots in the game and just two in the second stanza.
The corner-kick battle was also won by the Navy and Gold with Corban tallying eight to the Eagles' four.
Corban (2-0) returns home to Oregon for its next three non-conference matches. The first two are on the road at Pacific University and Linfield College on August 28 and September 3, while Corban then plays its first official home match of 2016 against cross-town rival Willamette University on September 10. Complete Corban Men's Soccer Schedule
Become a fan of Corban Athletics on Facebook
Follow Corban Athletics on Twitter @CorbanAthletics
Follow Corban Athletics on Instagram: corbanathletics
Follow Corban Athletics on Snapchat: corbanathletics
Watch Corban Warrior videos on Youtube: CorbanUAthletics
Sign up for our Corban Warriors email Newsletter
#WarriorNation
