SALEM, Ore. – The Corban University Women's Soccer team showed resiliency on Friday evening at the Outdoor Athletic Complex (OAC), battling back from a second-half deficit to earn a 1-1 draw against fellow NAIA school Stanton University. A late penalty kick from senior midfielder Gabrielle Nakamura erased the Warriors' deficit and secured a positive result in Corban's final non-conference match before Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) play begins.
"I was pleased with our response after falling behind," shared head coach Tim Kagey following his program's final non-conference result of the year. "The ladies stayed composed, kept pushing forward, and found a way to earn a result. Jordyn was excellent again for us, and Gabrielle delivered an important moment for us as we enter the bulk of our season."
Corban (2-3-1) generated several strong scoring chances throughout the opening half despite Stanton (2-3-2) holding a slight edge in possession and opportunities. Redshirt senior forward Kelli Huskic nearly broke the scoreless deadlock midway through the period when her strike struck the post in the 15th minute. Later in the half, Huskic forced back-to-back saves from Stanton goalkeeper Alessia Forti, while freshmn midfielder Eliza Nisly added a shot on target of her own. Behind four first-half saves from redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Jordyn Labajo, the Warriors carried a 0-0 scoreline into the halftime break.
The visiting Elks struck first less than three minutes into the second half when defender Kristi Maria Boneva Koseva found the back of the net in the 48th minute, giving Stanton a 1-0 advantage. The Warriors continued pressing for an equalizer throughout the remainder of the contest, earning multiple corner kicks and producing several quality chances in the attacking third as they searched for a breakthrough.
Corban's persistence paid off in the 84th minute. After sustained pressure around the Elks' penalty area led to a penalty kick opportunity, freshman forward Haley Miersma drew a penalty shot after going down in the goalkeeper's box, allowing Nakamura the opportunity to net her first career goal after spending most of her collegiate women's soccer career as a primarily defensive midfielder for the Dubs, which she converted confidently and without a save from Stanton substitute goalkeeper Anna Annigoni. The Warriors nearly found a winner moments later when Nakamura tested Annigoni again, but a save preserved the draw.
Huskic spearheaded the Corban attack with a game-high five shots and three shots on goal, consistently challenging the Stanton defense throughout the evening. Nakamura recorded the equalizing goal while adding two shots on target, and Nisly contributed two shots with one on frame. Labajo anchored the Warrior defense with seven saves, keeping Corban within striking distance before the late comeback. As a team, the Warriors placed seven of their 10 shots on target and matched Stanton with three corner kicks.
For Stanton, Boneva Koseva scored the Elks' lone goal and finished with two shots on goal. Sarah Bajracharya and Sherasade Meghezi each recorded two shots on target, while Forti made five saves before exiting in the 74th minute. Annigoni entered late and added a save to help Stanton secure the draw.
Nakamura's goal marked the first score of the 2026 season by a student-athlete other than Miersma and represented Corban's first penalty-kick conversion of the year. The Warriors also continued a season-long defensive trend, having now held opponents to one goal or fewer in all six matches this season. Labajo's seven-save performance was her second-consecutive match with seven or more saves after recording eight against Linfield University on Thursday night.
Corban will now turn its attention to CCC action, as the Warriors return to their home pitch on Thursday, September 17th when they'll welcome the University of Providence (0-2-0) to the OAC for the overall conference opener across the Pacific Northwest.
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