BALDWIN CITY, Kan. –  In a matchup of two NAIA Top-25 teams, the No. 20 Corban University men's soccer team's attempt to upend No. 2 Oklahoma Wesleyan University fell just short on Monday afternoon. 

The Eagles, who finished the 2020 season as the NAIA Runner-Ups, earned a 2-1 triumph over the Navy and Gold at a neutral site at Baker University.

"We showed we can play with a top team, even when we aren't at our best," said director of soccer Tim Kagey.

In a battle of two of the most potent offenses in the NAIA, the first goal of Monday's match didn't come until nearly 30 minutes after the first whistle.

Jean-Mikael Ngandu helped the Eagles get on the board first, finding the back of the net to give Oklahoma Wesleyan a 1-0 lead. Jorge Velasco assisted the goal.

That would be the only tally on either side through the first half, but the Navy and Gold equalized just minutes into the second period. 

It was rookie Alexis Luna who came through, scoring his first career goal in style to even the score at one. Robin Terry played a pivotal role in the score, notching his first assist of the season with a gorgeous cross, which Luna bicycle kicked past Eagle goalkeeper Alex Vidizzoni.

With the Warriors eying an upset, Stefan Lukic—the 2019 NAIA Player of the Year—put the Eagles back in front in the 58th minute. Finishing off a pass from fellow Serbian Luka Lukic to net the game-winner. 

Corban sought frantically for another equalizer as the game wound down, but the Eagles were able to hold on and outlast the Navy and Gold in a hard-fought battle by both sides.

The Warriors (1-2) leave Kansas with a pair of losses, but will look to adjust and grow after testing matchups against two quality sides. 

"It was a tough trip, but we learned a lot about ourselves," Kagey added.

Corban will have one final non-conference matchup before beginning Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) play, battling NCAA Division III Pacific Lutheran University on September 11 at 4 p.m.

The game will take place at Sparks Field on the campus of Willamette University; in compliance with Willamette's spectator protocols, fans must show proof of vaccination in order to attend the match.