SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The No. 18-ranked Corban University men's soccer team was unable to upset two-time defending NAIA National Champion Central Methodist University on Saturday, as the No. 1-ranked Eagles earned a 3-1 triumph in the NAIA Opening Round Santa Barbara Bracket Final to advance to the NAIA Final Site.

With the loss, yet another strong campaign for the Warriors come to an end.

"I'm proud of our group today," said head coach Tim Kagey. "We didn't start the way we needed to and it cost us. We dominated for a large portion in the second half, showing more of who we are, but when you play the top team in the country, it's the few mistakes that cost you the game. We are proud to be in Navy and Gold, go Warriors!"

The Eagles entered Saturday's match with a 20-1 overall record, with their only loss of the season coming to NCAA Division I University of Central Arkansas. In addition, three of those 20 wins were against NCAA Division I foes, a testament to the squad's level of talent.

The Warriors vied for an upset on Saturday, but a late comeback attempt fell short.

A foul in the box led to an early penalty kick opportunity for the Eagles, and Theo Klein converted the chance to give CMU an early 1-0 lead in the eighth minute. Forced to play from behind early, the Warrior defense held strong for the remainder of the half, fighting valiantly to keep the Navy and Gold within striking distance heading into the final 45.

Under a minute into the second half, the Eagles expanded their lead, however, grabbing some valuable breathing room on a 46^th-minute goal from Mark Csongradi. Alessandro Lacerti set up the score, sending a cross into the box that Csongradi volleyed into the back of the net.

With their backs against the wall, the Corban offense began piecing together opportunities to cut away at the deficit. The Navy and Gold attack began to develop a rhythm, creating opportunities and building momentum in pursuit of a late rally.

The Warriors finally broke through in the 76^th minute, as freshman Luis Lopez picked a perfect time to register the first goal of his collegiate career. Charles Cleyton created some space on the outside, and sent in a pinpoint pass across the top of the six-yard box. Lopez lunged forward to beat the Eagle back line to it, poking one past CMU keeper Stefano Camerlengo to cut the deficit in half. It was only the 13^th goal allowed by the Eagles in their 22 competitions this spring.

CLICK HERE to watch the goal.

The momentum tangibly shifted in Corban's favor after that, as the squad resumed its search for an equalizer. A red card to Robin Terry in the 86^th minute forced the Warriors to continue that pursuit down a man, however, and a breakaway goal from Markus Esko in the 89^th minute squashed Corban's hopes for a comeback.

Despite the heartbreaking finish, the 2020-21 season was yet another impressive one for the Navy and Gold, which finished with a 9-2-1 overall record.

Corban earned an eighth-straight trip to the NAIA National Tournament, building upon the longest active streak among any NAIA school in the West.

In addition, the Warriors set a new program record for goals-per-match, averaging 3.33 in 2020-21.

The 2020 Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) West Division Champions will return to the pitch this fall, setting out to defend their conference title in the 2021 season.