SALEM, Ore. – Trailing 1-0 at the midway point, the Corban University women's soccer team felt more than capable of mounting a comeback in the second half of the squad's battle with crosstown rival Willamette University on Friday evening. The Bearcat offense would explode for four second-half goals, however, claiming the 'Battle for Salem' by a 5-1 final margin.

"It was a tough result tonight," said head coach Derek Faulkner. "We knew our schedule had good teams in it, and that is intentional; we want to get tested, we want tough games, we want adversity, and we want to grow through these experiences. We are still working towards getting better every day. That's our goal, that's our identity."

Willamette's Lacey Jones netted the first goal of the contest in the eighth minute, which would account for the entirety of the scoring in the first half.

The Bearcats came out quickly after the break, with Shanna Keil doubling the lead six minutes into the second half.

Both Jackie Gilroy (71') and Keil (72') found the net in rapid succession later in the contest, with the duo effectively putting the game out of reach with goals less than a minute apart.

Gilroy then struck again with an insurance goal in the 86^th minute, giving the Bearcats two players with a brace in the victory.

For the Warriors, Skyla Vogelpohl netted the squad's first goal of the 2019 season, converting a penalty kick in the final minute of play.

It won't be long until the Navy and Gold will have an opportunity for redemption, with Corban (0-2) returning to the pitch for a battle against Ottawa University (Ariz.) on Sunday morning. The game is set to begin at 11 a.m. at the CFC Soccer Complex.