SALEM, Ore. – The first shutout and regular season win of 2025 came in the same contest today for the Corban University Men's Soccer program, as the Warriors submitted a clean sheet against the visiting Red Hawks of Simpson University behind two second half goals. Senior midfielder Santiago Castano scored and assisted on both goals, connecting on a penalty kick try and later finding redshirt senior forward Gerardo Lopez on a cross for his first goal of the year as well.
"It's incredibly rewarding to secure a win after the hard work we put into this preseason," explained Corban head coach Tim Kagey. "We still have much to do and are excited to continue this journey."
Following a somber first half with only nine total shots by both the Warriors (1-2-0) and Red Hawks (0-3-0), the Navy and Gold finally found the game-winning goal in the 67th minute on a strange penalty kick provided by the officials, as Castano's corner kick cross was tangled up between Corban and Simpson student-athletes before a Red Hawk eventually fell on the ball and was called for a handball. Castano converted the PK attempt to score the third team goal of the year for the Warriors.
Five minutes later, Castano found a sprinting Lopez up the middle of the field with both of his defenders lagging behind on the play, needing to only beat the goalkeeper to go up 2-0, which he handled with ease. Castano would end up leading all players in shots with four on the day, while redshirt senior goalkeeper Isaac Pureco picked up the clean sheet and earned his first win of the season against his record with a pair of saves made.
The Simpson offense was led by defender Alan Gonzalez and his three shots to represent nearly half of his team's attempts, with only five Red Hawks in total taking shots against Pureco and the Corban defense. Goalkeeper Jacopo Trolese took his third loss of the season after allowing two goals and securing a save.
The Navy and Gold will return to the pitch on Friday, September 5th as they'll travel to Portland for a 2:30pm kickoff against CCC member Warner Pacific University (1-0) in a rare non-conference regular season matchup with the Knights.
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