SALEM, Ore. – Goals scored from a pair of seniors allowed the Corban University Women's Soccer team to clinch a spot in the 2024 postseason earlier this afternoon with a 3-1 victory over Rocky Mountain College, as the Warriors scored twice in less than a minute during the second half to close out the regular season with a victory.
"Words can't explain how sweet it was for our seniors and the entire team to win today," explained Corban head coach Travez Whyte. "We are grateful for all the time, energy and sacrifices each of them has invested for the overall benefit of this team. Thank you, seniors, you are all loved! Next week, we continue this momentum as we look forward to our conference tournament. Parents, families, and friends, thank you for your support all of conference play. It's been very appreciated!"
The Warriors (7-6-5) were able to clinch their seventh win of the season after scoring three goals against a Rocky Mountain team (8-5-1, 6-4-1) that had only allowed three scores in one other conference match thus far this season. With 13 seniors on roster, Coach Whyte was able to start a full field of honorees that propelled the program to their eleventh-consecutive postseason appearance.
With less than seven minutes remaining in the opening half, junior defender Chloe Beck drove into the Bears' penalty box and launched a shot from ten feet out that was saved by goalkeeper Hannah Trumbull, yet she was unable corral the ball and senior forward Carley Ganchenko punched the ball into the back of the net to break the scoreless draw heading into the halftime break.
However, Rocky Mountain would tie the contest just over a minute into the second period, as the Battlin' Bears were given a penalty kick try after it was deemed a Warrior redirected a cross with her hand in the Warriors' goalbox. Midfielder Georgia Dean took the try and converted to knot the contest at a goal apiece.
It was a senior-to-freshman connection that provided the game-winning goal for Corban women's soccer at the Outdoor Athletic Complex, as senior midfielder Adilynn Brotnov found freshman forward Maya Alston alone in the middle of the Rocky Mountain backfield, where she launched the game-winner from thirty yards out up and over the head of Trumbull for her team-leading eighth goal of the season.
Not even a minute later, Ganchenko found a crease in the Bears' defense where senior forward Fatima Jimenez was positioned to launch an opportunity towards the netting, which flew just inches above the foot of a defender and into the back right corner of the goal to provide the Navy and Gold with a much-needed insurance goal. Thirty minutes of game clock later, and the Warriors punched their ticket into the Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) Tournament.
Both Corban and Rocky Mountain took an even 13 shots apiece, with the Navy and Gold holding a two-shot advantage in shots on goal, 8-6. A complete game effort by senior goalkeeper Catriona Burns with five saves and just the single penalty kick goal allowed powered the Warriors to victory, while Trumbull matched the game-high five saves yet allowed three goals to drop her third decision of the season. Senior midfielder Valentina Virguez led Corban with three shots this afternoon, while Bears' forward Emma Lensing registered three shots of her own for the visiting team.
The Warriors now await their opponent to be decided for the quarterfinals of the 2024 CCC Tournament, which will begin on November 10th in Medford, Oregon at the Lithia & Driveway Fields.
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