FOREST GROVE, Ore. – After scoring the lone goal in their matchup last season, Corban University Women's Soccer student-athlete Alysia Alvarado put together a spectacular second half of action in today's exhibition contest against NCAA DIII Pacific University, where the Warriors flipped a 0-0 halftime draw into an impressive 3-0 shutout victory over the Boxers.
"Today, our ladies had fun playing with each other and most importantly, for each other," Warriors' head coach Travez Whyte stated shortly after the conclusion of their exhibition match. "It was great seeing them use their God-given gifts with confidence. From here, the plan is to keep building and stay consistent."
In a first half of back-and-forth momentum, the Warriors kicked off the period with two quick shot opportunities in the first four minutes but didn't find another chance again until back-to-back shots in the 25th minute alone.
In-between the two major opportunities for Corban, the Boxers dominated the possession on their own offensive side of the ball, accumulating seven shots and four coming on goal. Both sides had plenty of looks in the penalty box, but eventually played to a 0-0 draw in the opening half.
Junior defender Adilynn Brotnov had a breakaway shot on goal chance that was deflected away last minute, matching senior forward Maria Juarez for the team lead in shots on goal with one of her own. Both Juarez and Alvarado led the team in total shots with two apiece.
Pacific forward Mirella Garcia was the game leader in shots at the midway of the contest with three in total, while her team led in total fouls 5-2 and corner kick opportunities 2-1.
After failing to find their competitive fire through the back half of the first period, the Warriors stormed out of the halftime break to score two goals within two minutes of each other, as Alvarado and Juarez finally found their marks.
Alvarado blasted a 20-yard attempt from just outside the penalty box to skirt over the head of Boxers' goalkeeper Isabella De La Cruz for the first Corban goal aftre a touch pass from graduate student forward Kaleigh Haworth, while Juarez found a bobbled ball on a cross from Alvarado on the right side to easily boom an attempt into the netting.
It didn't take long for Alvarado to strike from distance once again, as a free kick opportunity from roughly the same spot as her last attempt in the 66th minute allowed the Warriors to try some trickery. With both Brotnov and Alvarado lined up to take the attempt, Brotnov knocked the ball back with the heel of her foot into a sprinting Alvarado, who curved the ball up and over the wall of defenders into the upper left hand corner of the goal to secure an easy brace for the Salem native.
The offensive looks continued for Alvarado and the Warriors over the final twenty minutes of play, as the second half was all Corban. The Navy and Gold held Pacific to just a single shot in the final forty-five minutes of action, resulting in a double-up offensively by outshooting the Boxers 16-8 after trailing 7-6 in shots at halftime.
Alvarado led both teams with six total shots, four of which were on goal and two of which found her mark to lead in goals, points, and tied for assists. Juarez finished with one goal on three shots, while starting goalkeeper Makida Herbert denied four Boxer shots before true freshman goalkeeper Ava Hayes entered to relieve her and complete the shutout.
Garcia ended the contest how she ended the first half with a team-high three shots, with midfielders Olivia Azzollini and Cyd Sugiyama and forward Julia Fechter each registering a shot against Herbert as well. Boxers' De La Cruz took the loss after starting in goal to start the second half, allowing three goals while securing a pair of saves.
After playing host to a neutral site contest between fellow Cascade Collegiate Conference member Northwest University and Crossroads League member Taylor University this upcoming Thursday, the Warriors will battle the Trojans themselves on Saturday, August 26th at 2pm PT.
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