OLYMPIA, Wash. – Freshman defender Ellie Stickles scored the first goal of her collegiate career in the 60th minute, lifting the Corban University women's soccer team to a 1-0 victory over The Evergreen State College on Friday. The Warriors generated 14 shots and eight corner kicks while holding Evergreen to eight shots and one corner kick. Redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Jordyn Labajo recorded four saves to preserve the shutout as Corban improved to 5-5-2 overall and 3-2-1 in conference play.
"It was great to get three points when we didn't play our best. We showed some grit and togetherness to get the result we needed. It was great to see El get her first goal of her career!" head coach Tim Kagey said.
Corban established pressure early, earning two corner kicks within the opening three minutes. Stickles had an early shot blocked before freshman forward Eliza Nisly forced two saves from Evergreen goalkeeper Melina Grijalva. Redshirt fifth year forward Kelli Huskic continued to test the Evergreen (0-6-2, 0-5-1) defense, recording a shot on goal in the 18th minute.
The Warriors persisted in creating scoring opportunities throughout the half. Senior midfielder Olivia Fitzpatrick and Labajo each recorded shots, while Kelli Huskic added another attempt. Corban earned its third corner kick of the opening half in the 34th minute, but Evergreen's defense kept the Warriors off the board.
The Geoducks created its best chances of the half late, but Labajo made a save against Macey Swensen in the 39th minute. The Corban defense then prevented two additional Evergreen opportunities, sending the match into halftime scoreless.
Evergreen tested Labajo early in the second half, with the Corban goalkeeper making another save. Corban responded with increased pressure, earning a corner kick in the 58th minute.
Just nine seconds after the second corner, Stickles broke the deadlock with a goal. Fitzpatrick delivered the corner into the box, where Ellie finished from two yards near the left post at 59:07 to give the Warriors a 1-0 lead. The goal marked the first of Stickles' collegiate career.
Corban continued to generate opportunities after taking the lead, with Huskic recording multiple shots and the Warriors earning three additional corner kicks between the 71st and 76th minutes.
Evergreen increased its pressure late in the match, but Labajo and the Corban defense kept Evergreen off the scoreboard. Labajo made saves in the 78th and 85th minutes of play to preserve the shutout and secure the 1-0 victory.
Stickles led the Warriors with the decisive goal, scoring her first career goal on two shots. Fitzpatrick recorded the assist and helped direct Corban's attack, taking six of the teams eight corner kicks. Huskic led Corban with five shots, while Nisly added three shots, two of which were on goal. Labajo played all 90 minutes and recorded four saves in the shutout.
As a team, Corban finished with a 14-8 advantage in shots and put up six attempts on goal compared to Evergreen's four. The Warriors also held an 8-1 advantage in corner kicks.
Evergreen was led by Nevaeh Moncada with three shots, including one on goal. Gabriela Paniagua recorded two shots on goal, while Macey Swensen and Rylee Hall each added on shot. Melina Grijalva made four saves during the first half before Katie Gresham took over in goal for the second half and recorded one save.
The Warriors will return to action Saturday, October 10th, when they travel to Kirkland, Washington to face Northwest University (4-3-1, 3-2-1) as they continue conference play. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:30pm.
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