SALEM, Ore. – The Corban University women's soccer team (6-6-2, 4-3-1) put together an impressive offensive performance on Friday, defeating Bushnell University (5-6-2, 3-5-0) 4-1 at the Outdoor Athletic Complex (OAC). Sophomore forward Kate Dickson stole the show with a hat trick, while freshman forward Haley Miersma added an early goal to help the Warriors secure a convincing home victory.
"Great team win tonight! We showed a lot of grit and fight to score as much as we did. It was great to see the direction we are moving as a team and we are excited to continue making progress," head coach Tim Kagey commented.
Corban come out strong, taking the lead in the eighth minute when Miersma scored her fourth goal of the season after Dickson and Beacons' goalkeeper Gabriella Montes got their feet tangled up in the penalty box, allowing Dickson and brief opportunity to play the ball to Miersma for the wide open score. The Warriors continued to create chances before Dickson doubled the advantage in the 14th minute after a series of opportunities near the net. Bushnell worked to get back into the match, with Ohu Miles scoring in the 30th minute to cut the Beacons' deficit to a single goal. Bushnell continued to generate chances late in the half, but redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Jordyn Labajo and the Warriors' defense prevented all equalizer opportunities before halftime.
Bushnell Looked to build momentum early in the second half, testing Labajo with several shots. Corban responded by creating opportunities of its own, nearly extending its lead in the 64th minute when freshman midfielder Eliza Nisly's header struck the crossbar. Soon after, Dickson struck again with her second goal of the afternoon in the 71st minute, finishing an assist from redshirt fifth year forward Kelli Huskic to give the Warriors a 3-1 advantage. Corban maintained its pressure as the half continued with Dickson completing her hat trick in the 83rd minute thanks to a double assist from senior midfielders Olivia Fitzpatrick and Gabrielle Nakamura. Labajo made additional saves down the stretch to preserve the three-goal victory.
Dickson led Corban with three goals on four shots to secure her first career hat trick, adding an assist on Miersma's goal to have her impact felt on every Warrior goal scored. Huskic, Fitzpatrick, and Nakamura all recorded an assist in Dickson's second and third goals of the contest, respectively. Labajo played all 90 minutes in goal and finished with five saves. The Warriors converted four of their five shots on goal to help secure the win.
Bushnell outshot Corban 19-12 and recorded six shots on goal yet only found the back of the net on one occasion. Miles led the Beacons with four shots and scored their lone goal, while Montes recorded one save.
The Warriors will look to build on Friday's victory and momentum when they take on the Lady Owls of Oregon Tech (4-7-1, 1-5-1) at home on October 23rd at 4:30pm at the Outdoor Athletic Complex.
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