SALEM, Ore. – The Corban University Women's Soccer program hosted their first ever matchup with Trinity Western University out of the Canada West organization this afternoon, as the Warriors and Spartans played to a 1-1 draw after a pair of first half goals at the Outdoor Athletic Complex (OAC). Trinity Western had just played out a 3-3 draw with NCAA DI Oregon State University on Friday night and continued their preseason with another tie in their first collegiate contest with Corban who was riding a two-game winning streak.
"Today we had the opportunity to play a quality team from Canada that provided some good learning opportunities as we get closer to our conference play," Warriors' head coach Travez Whyte said following their third counting contest of the season. "We had a moment of miscommunication which hurt us, but we are on the right track to being the best team we can be. Shoutout to Alysia after being subbed and only took her a couple minutes to get us on the scoreboard. Overall, this was a good performance from our Warriors! As always, huge thanks to our family and friends that show up loud to support us!"
The Warriors' (2-0-1) unbeaten streak to start the 2024 season continued this afternoon on their home field against a successful Spartan (1-2-3) program, their last game at the OAC for the remainder of the non-conference schedule. Trinity Western was the Canada West conference champions in 2023 and have competed a majority of their non-conference slate against NCAA DI opponents thus far.
For the second time in as many home games, senior forward Alysia Alvarado came off the bench and immediately made her impact known, as she scored the opening goal of the contest almost three minutes into her substitution with a hard-fought rush into the Spartans' penalty box, shaking off two different defenders before striking the ball up and over the visiting goalkeeper. This marks the fourth goal for Alvarado this season in three games played, which is the most by any individual in the Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) thus far and highest goals per game average.
Fourteen minutes later, Trinity Western found the equalizer due to a miscommunication in the Warriors' penalty box, as Corban sophomore goalkeeper Ava Hayes collided with a defender in an attempt to clear the ball, which resulted in an open goal opportunity for the Spartans. As the ball flew into the air just feet from the goal line, Spartans' forward Destiny Omari contested with a header that bounced off multiple players' heads and rolled into the Corban goal just seven minutes before the halftime horn.
Despite the remainder of the match ending in a 1-1 draw, Trinity Western held a 7-2 advantage in shots, which could have been costly if redshirt junior goalkeeper Catriona Burns hadn't entered at the break and racked up a trio of saves in just 45 minutes played. The Spartans also held a 9-1 advantage in corner kick opportunities, yet out-fouled Corban 16-7 as well.
Both Alvarado and junior forward Carley Ganchenko tied for the game-high mark in shots with two apiece, each of Ganchenko's resulting in a goal or save opportunity. Four different student-athletes had a pair of shots for Trinity Western, including midfielders Lianna Holz, Kylie Hendricks, and Veronica Walter. Spartans' goalkeepers Emalie Lynn and Harley Olijnek split time in goal this afternoon, with Olijnek earning the tie result as the last goalkeeper to serve between the posts.
Corban women's soccer will begin a four-game road trip this upcoming Friday at 7pm, as they'll battle NCAA DIII George Fox University for the first time since 2013 at the Austin Sports Complex in Newberg.
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