GLENDALE, Ariz. – The Corban University women's soccer program officially kicked off their non-conference slate for 2023 with the first of three games in Arizona, as they played to a 2-1 victory over Arizona Christian University despite a 45-minute lightning delay that nearly wiped two goals off the board completely should the game have ended due to weather concerns.

"Our ladies truly stepped up today mentally and I'm very proud of them," Warriors' head coach Travez Whyte stated shortly after his team's season-opening win. No matter how many times we got knocked down, they always got back up and continued to fight. The more games we play, the more we are able to fine tune our identity and play for Christ. This trip will continue to be filled with great opportunities for our program."

It didn't take long for the Warriors (1-0-0, 0-0-0) to find scoring opportunities in their first regular season match of the 2023 season, as a Firestorm (0-1-0, 0-0-0) penalty in the box gave starting junior midfielder Alysia Alvarado a free kick try from just outside the penalty box. However, Alvarado's attempt sailed wide, which would keep both teams in a stalemate throughout the first half of tonight's contest with neither team finding many opportunities as good as Alvarado's free kick.

Despite outshooting Arizona Christian 7-4 through the first forty-five minutes, Corban couldn't find the back of the net and left multiple opportunities off the board. ACU was much more aggressive in the first half, racking up eleven fouls compared to just two for the Warriors. Alvarado led all players with four shots thus far, two of which found the mark but were saved by the Firestorm defensive unit.

In unprecedented fashion, Corban's first goal scored of the 2023 season wouldn't come off the foot of any of their own players, but rather an own goal from ACU due to miscommunication in the defensive end between their defenders and goalkeeper, allowing the Warriors to take a 1-0 lead in the 60th minute.

After an extensive lightning delay, the Navy and Gold took to the field once again and wasted no time scoring their first actual goal of the season, as senior forward Maria Juarez connected with senior forward Fatima Jimenez in the 67th minute to double their lead over the host Firestorm and sit comfortably in the driver's seat of this game.

Arizona Christian cut the lead back to one after a penalty by Corban in the goalkeeper's box allowed defender Alyssa Mercado to score on a penalty kick chance with less than five minutes remaining in the first regular season game of the year for both squads.

A last minute effort by the Firestorm would come up just shy of the two-goal comeback, as Corban would go on to hold off a relentless barrage of attacking possessions to hold on for the 2-1 victory over ACU. The Warriors fell flat offensively following Jimenez' goal, as Arizona Christian would end up outshooting Corban 13-12 by the final whistle. The Navy and Gold would still hold on to an 8-4 shots on goal advantage.

Senior goalkeeper Makida Herbert picked up her first win on the season by denying three shots and allowing just the solo penalty kick goal. The defensive line was an integral part of the Warriors' first win on the season, as defending duo junior Adilynn Brotnov and sophomore Sofia Ospina each logged a complete game to nearly record the clean sheet.

Alvarado and midfielder Cameron Mercado each recorded four shots to lead their programs this evening, while Jimenez and Jaurez both posted perfect shot on goal percentages with two and three shots, respectively.

Defensively for ACU, starting goalkeeper Brenna Sonsini snagged six saves for her team but ultimately took the loss after allowing two goals to the visiting Warriors.

Corban women's soccer will continue their Arizona road trip this upcoming Saturday when they travel to Surprise for an 8pm MST start time with RV Ottawa University-Arizona (OUAZ), who will be opening their regular season at home against Corban.

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