SALEM, Ore. – For the tenth-consecutive season, excluding the Covid-19 shortened season of 2020 where there were no postseason tournaments held, the Corban University Women's Soccer team will be playing postseason soccer following the conclusion of the 2023 regular season just two short weeks away, thanks to a 2-1 home victory this evening over Multnomah University, the program's fourth-straight win. Despite playing in their final home match of the 2023 season, the Warriors are fortunate to have one of the largest returning cores heading into the 2024 season next year, with only two true seniors competing in their last season of eligibility and the remaining class deciding to utilize their fifth and final seasons of eligibility next year.
"I'm very proud of how we are playing as of late," Warriors' head coach Travez Whyte stated shortly after the conclusion of their final home match. "Teamwork and playing the Warrior Way was evident this weekend, and we got the results we wanted. Our ladies are improving each week, and we give all praise to God. Next weekend is a big weekend, so we still have lots to keep working on to accomplish our goals. Join us on the road if you can, Warrior Nation!"
In just her second game back for the Warriors (8-3-4, 6-1-2) after suffering a frightening injury a few weeks ago, senior forward Fatima Jimenez was able to start this evening against the Lions (3-9-2, 1-6-2) and score the opening goal of the contest on an absolute laser beam shot from well outside the penalty box. After receiving a pass and dribbling across the entire left side of the field, Jimenez ripped a shot up and over the outstretched arms of Multnomah goalkeeper Tai Brennan in the 53rd minute.
Much to the dismay of the Warrior Faithful in attendance for the second-straight rainy match at the Outdoor Athletic Complex, the Lions were able to replicate Jimenez' goal with a deep shot of their own not even two minutes later, as midfielder Megan Castricum received a cross from forward Manuela Arango and smashed a shot into the upper-left hand corner of the net to even the playing field back at a 1-1 draw with thirty-five minutes left to be played.
For the second match in as many days, junior midfielder Alysia Alvarado saved the day for the Warriors, scoring in the 63rd minute to notch her second-consecutive game-winning goal and eighth of the season via a scramble inside Multnomah's penalty box that allowed Alvarado to barely squeak a slow-rolling shot by the last remaining Lion defender and over the endline to break the tie and provide Corban a 2-1 victory.
Alvarado and junior forward Kelli Huskic led the Warriors offensively this evening with four shots apiece, while Jimenez joined the duo in a three-way tie for shots on goal, all three of which notched a pair in the category. Castricum held the game-high mark with five shots, three of which came on goal.
Warriors' junior goalkeeper Catriona Burns earned her first victory in the net donning the Navy and Gold colors, allowing a single goal and hauling in a trio of saves. Brennan accepted the loss for Multnomah by allowing a pair of goals but defended six more opportunities for just as many saves.
The Corban women's soccer program will end the 2023 season with three-straight road games prior to the start of the Cascade Collegiate Conference Tournament, beginning with the conference-leading Yotes of No. 15-ranked College of Idaho (12-1-1, 8-0-0) at 4pm MT, 3pm PT across the Oregon-Idaho border.
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