PORTLAND, Ore. – It was a sunny fall Sunday at the Eastside Timbers Sports Complex, as the Corban University women's soccer team make the short drive up I-5 to take on the Knights of Warner Pacific University. Early half goals were the difference in this one after the Knights struck early and went into half-time leading 1-0 over the Warriors. Fifth year forward Kelli Huskic scored a 54th minute to make the final score 1-1, while Warrior's redshirt sophomore keeper Jordyn Labajo had the most saves in a game so far in her Warrior career. The Warriors get a crucial draw as Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) play heats up. The result moves the Warriors to 4-5-2 overall and 2-2-1 in conference play, while the Knights move to 3-3-3 overall and 2-2-1 in conference play.
"We played with a lot of grit today. Disappointed to not get a couple more points, but I believe we are moving in the right direction," head coach Tim Kagey said.
Both teams were on the offensively early, with either side having opportunities to score. Warner Pacific began the contest with an early long-range sixth minute goal from sophomore forward Katya Tercek. The Warriors would have three corner kick opportunities in the first 13 minutes of the contest but would go emptyhanded on all of them. Huskic, freshmen midfielder Eliza Nisly and redshirt junior defender Kelsey Guzon all had a shot on goal in the first half but were all unsuccessful finding the back of the net as the Warriors went into halftime trailing 1-0.
Early in the second half during the 54th minute, Huskic found the back of net to even things up 1-1, which would end up being the final goal of the contest as both teams traded opportunities in the second half. Knights' junior goalkeeper Evelyn Montiel would receive a red card in the 89th minute for a slide tackle attempt outside of the penalty box that prevented a one-on-one opportunity for the Warriors to score the go-ahead goal, forcing the Knights to close the contest with just ten players.
Shortly after, Warner Pac would receive a yellow card in the 90th minute committed by junior forward Taylor Gibson, giving the Warriors one last chance to leave Portland with a victory over the Knights. Senior midfielder Olivia Fitzpatrick had two shots in the final minute of the contest, but was unable to find the back of the net, and the contest finished with a final score of 1-1. The Knights led the Warriors in shots (20-12), and shots on goal (10-4), while the Warriors slimily led in corner kicks (5-4) and WPU barely leading in fouls (8-7).
Huskic led the Warriors with five shots, two shots on goal, and the one goal scored in the contest. Labajo led the match with nine saves and just one goal allowed. Junior defenders Bailey Krause and Meliah Servatius, along with senior midfielder Gabrielle Nakamura played all 90 minutes in the contest.
Tercek would lead the Knights offensively today with five shots, three being on goal, and one shot finding paydirt. Nine total players for Warner Pacific would have a shot on goal in the matchup. Montiel secured three saves and one goal allowed before being ejected from the contest. Sophomore goalkeeper Addison Keegan closed out the final 1:53 of the match not allowing a goal while facing back-to-back shots from Fitzpatrick.
The Warriors will continue on the road as they travel up north to the Washington capital to take on The Evergreen State College (0-5-2, 0-4-1), in Olympia, Washington at the Evergreen State Soccer Fields on Friday, October 9th at 12:30pm.
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