COLLEGE PLACE, Wash. – The Corban University Men's Soccer team did exactly what they needed today to keep their playoff chances alive as they enter their final regular season match this upcoming Saturday, as they defeated Walla Walla University on the road with a 4-1 final score behind some of their best offensive executions of the season.

"Strong team performance and an opportunity for players to get some of their first collegiate minutes," Navy and Gold head coach Corbin Bowers stated shortly after his program's third win of the season. "Proud of the group for committing to our playoff dream. After some pressure and nerves, we really hit our rhythm in the second half."

The four Warriors leading the Corban (3-6 7, 3-4-5) offense this entire season had themselves a day at the Walla Walla Soccer Complex this afternoon, as a cold opening half for both programs was quickly eradicated in the final six minutes with redshirt senior defender Evan Hoover knocking in his fifth and sixth goals of the season in the 40th and 45th minutes. Hoover was assisted by graduate student forward Nate Sherwood on the first and redshirt sophomore forward Irwin Leon on the second to give Corban a 2-0 lead at the halftime break.

The Wolves (0-12-0, 0-13-0) managed to jump on the board in the 68th minute, as a breakaway in the middle of the grass field by forward Ben Hewett was capitalized on in front of the net to cut the Walla Walla deficit in half. Midfielder Rolando Gallart Franco was credited with the assist from well over the midway line.

However, the Warriors dug deep and found goals by Leon and redshirt sophomore Bryan Nicolas to edge the Walla Walla comeback bid, with Nicolas earning an assist on Leon's score and cementing the road victory. Hoover led the field with two goals scored, while Leon and Nicolas each scored and assisted on another.

Warriors' redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Isaac Pureco earned his third win of the season on the cusp of six saves and a single goal allowed, while Wolves' goalkeeper Diego Molina allowed four goals with just a pair of saves.

The Warriors will take a travel day tomorrow as they enter snowy Montana for their final regular season match of the year, as they'll need a win at Rocky Mountain College (4-9-3, 2-9-1) to give themselves a fighting chance in securing one of the last spots in the 2023 Cascade Collegiate Conference Tournament.

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