COLLEGE PLACE, Wash. – The Corban University women's soccer team delivered a powerful first half to defeat Walla Walla University on Friday afternoon at the WWU Soccer field. The Warriors were able to find the back of the goal four times in an 18-minute span, with goals coming from redshirt senior forward Kelli Huskic, freshman midfielder Eliza Nisly, and sophomore forward Kate Dickson to have a strong lead going into halftime. Corban held control of the match, finishing with advantages in both shots (34-13) and shots on goal (19-7). With the victory, the Warriors improved to 4-5-1 overall and 2-2-0 in Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) play, while Walla Walla has now dropped to 0-5-0 overall and 0-4-0 in conference.
"We started off great today. It was great to score quickly. We need to continue to be more clinical with our chances. We now look to get ready for Warner," Corban head coach Tim Kagey said.
Coming off the tough loss to No. 9-ranked College of Idaho, Corban came out hot, wasting no time by showing off its offense. They recorded 16 shorts during the opening 45 minutes. In the 18th minute, the Warriors broke through when Huskic scored the game's opening goal off an assist from Miersma, giving Corban an early lead 1-0.
The Warriors held the pressure and doubled the lead in less than eight minutes. In the 25th minute, Dickson assisted Nisly for the goal, this time putting Corban ahead 2-0. This goal would be the first of two goals for Nisly, representing the first ever collegiate brace for the Amity native.
Walla Walla was able to answer back when Anacel Valenzuela-Acosta found the back of the net in the 30th minute to make the score 2-1. Corban responded quickly after when Nisly scored her second goal of the afternoon just 21 seconds later thanks to an assist from Huskic to restore the Warriors' two-goal lead.
Corban was able to continue the attack late into the first half. With an assist from junior defender Meliah Servatius, Dickson was able to score the Warriors' fourth goal of the afternoon in the 35th minute. This pushed the score to 4-1 going into halftime.
After the halftime break, the Warriors continued to be a powerhouse with adding 18 additional shots, compared to Walla Walla who had just five. Corban was able to earn four corner kicks in the second half while also preventing the Wolves from finding another breakthrough into the back of the net.
With both teams unable to draw up a scoring play in the final 45 minutes, this allowed Corban's four-goal half to stand as the final scores of the afternoon. The Warriors were able to hold down Walla Walla on defense and not allow a goal in the second half, with redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Jordyn Labajo making six saves over the full 90-minute victory.
Nisly led the Corban Warriors with two goals on five shots, with four shots on goal. Dickson was able to finish with a goal and an assist. Huskic added a goal to the mix along with an assist on four shots, while Miersma and Servatius each added an assist. Senior midfielder Olivia Fitzpatrick led Corban with seven shots, three of which came on goal. Freshman defender Ellie Stickles added two shots on target, while junior defender Bailey Krause, senior midfielder Gabrielle Nakamura, redshirt junior midfielder Kelsey Guzon, and Labajo made up a stalwart defense that limited Walla Walla to seven shots on goal.
Labajo finished with six saves, all coming in the second half, while only allowing one goal in the 90 minutes played. The Warriors recorded 34 shots, 19 shots on goal, and five corner kicks while committing ten fouls.
Valenzuela-Acosta led the Wolves with five shots and their lone goal. Vicky Giardina had four shots, with two on target, while Anahi Mora had three shots and two on goal. With Corban's 19 shots, Walla Walla goalkeeper Allanah Rodriguez was forced to make a game-high 15 saves.
The Warriors will now turn their attention to Warner Pacific University (3-3-1, 2-2-0) as Corban continues CCC play on Sunday, October 4th at 10:30am at Eastside Timber Sports Complex in Portland.
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