SALEM, Ore. – A massive Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) victory on their home field is exactly what the Corban University Women's Soccer team needed following their first conference loss of the season last weekend, as the Warriors (5-3-4, 3-1-2) secured a 2-1 victory over defending conference champions Northwest University earlier this evening.

Shortly after the conclusion of tonight's match, Corban head coach Travez Whyte said, "Today's result was fun to watch. Our Warriors worked hard together for the result, and we are grateful for the outcome. All praise to God! Rest and recovery tonight will be key as tomorrow is another day to get the job done."

The Warriors and Eagles (5-5-1, 3-2-1) have both had extremely similar conference slates thus far, with only two points separating the programs in the conference standings entering tonight's match. This was the second contest played at the Outdoor Athletic Complex by Northwest this season, as Corban hosted the Eagles and Taylor University in August for just the Eagles' second game of the year.

With both squads having underperformed offensively as of recent, apart from the Eagles' 9-0 trouncing of Multnomah University this past Saturday, each team knew they needed to set the tone early if they wanted to emerge with a victory in what will be a major deciding factor down the stretch in determining playoff seeding for the CCC Tournament.

Neither program was willing to budge defensively through the first half, with a pair of goose eggs on the scoreboard representing a scoreless effort by both teams as they entered the halftime break. Corban held an 8-4 advantage in shots up to the beginning of the second half, as NU had struggled to find their rhythm and turned the ball over unnecessarily on multiple occasions.

The opening fifteen minutes of the second half saw the first two goals of the contest being scored, starting with Corban's first penalty kick opportunity of the season. Graduate student Kaleigh Haworth was fouled just inches away from the Eagles' goal with a cross sitting right in front of her, providing the Alaska native with a try from the PK marker. Haworth was able to convert and score her first goal of the season in the process to see her team jump out to a 1-0 lead.

Ten minutes later, senior forward Maria Juarez doubled the Warriors' lead on a deep cross that was bobbled by Eagles' goalkeeper Ella Wilson, providing her with a golden opportunity to score her first goal of the year as well. It would prove to be the game-winner in the contest, as forward Gracie VanAssche scored on a set piece just outside the penalty box with just over ten minutes remaining in the contest, but too much time had drained from the scoreboard in Northwest's comeback attempt and resulted in a 2-1 victory for the Warriors.

Corban and Northwest ended up splitting shots through ninety minutes of action, with each team recording 15 shots and the Eagles holding a slight 9-8 edge in shots on goal. Defensively, Wilson defended nine saves against the Navy and Gold in a losing effort, while senior goalkeeper Makida Hebert snagged eight saves and allowed a single goal in her fifth win of the season.

Corban will conclude their second consecutive weekend at home tomorrow night at 7pm back at the Outdoor Athletic Complex, as they'll welcome The Evergreen State College (1-7-1, 1-5-0) and look to continue their all-time winning streak against the Geoducks.

Follow Corban Athletics:
Facebook l Twitter  l Instagram l Snapchat l  YouTube l  Email

Download our App: iOS (iPhone/iPad) l Android