Corban Holds Off Bearcats in Women's Soccer, 4-2

By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

SALEM, ORE. -- The Corban University women's soccer team built a 3-1 lead against Willamette University on Friday, Aug. 31, but the Bearcats pulled within 3-2 when Andi Rowan (Sr., MF, Boise, ID/Timberline HS) converted a penalty kick at 62:05. With the Bearcats pressing to tie the score, Corban added an insurance goal by Audrey Sullivan with 5:12 left to claim a 4-2 win.

Corban, which competes in the NAIA, upped its record to 3-0 by winning the game between crosstown rivals. Willamette, a member of NCAA Division III, was playing its season opener. The Bearcats fell to 0-1.

An estimated crow of 570 spectators watched the game, as fans overflowed the bleacher seating into the open area near the north end of Sparks Field. They saw a hard-fought game that was close for most of the night.

Willamette started the scoring when a crossing pass by Hanna Burton (So., D, Gig Harbor, WA/Gig Harbor HS) was deflected into the goal by a Corban defender. The own goal was recorded 12:40 into the match.

The Warriors tied the game just over five minutes later on a shot from 15 yards by Sullivan. She was assisted on the play by Emily Tsugawa. The teams were still tied 1-1 at the end of the first half.

Less than two minutes into the second half, Corban edge in front 2-1. Tera McDonough earned the goal with a direct free kick from 32 yards that WU starting goalkeeper Gina Barbieri (So., Medford, OR/St. Mary's School) touched but couldn't keep out of the net.

Terrika Weaver scored for the Warriors on a follow shot at 58:30 to give the visitors a 3-1 advantage. The play began when a shot by Emily Boudreau was blocked. The ball went to Weaver, who shot from six yards near the left post.

Just 3:35 later at 62:05, the Bearcats cut the deficit in half with Rowan's penalty kick. A handball was called in the Corban penalty area during a scramble for possession to set-up the penalty shot. Rowan converted the kick, sending the ball near the back right corner of the net.

Corban maintained its 3-2 margin for the next 22 minutes before Sullivan's second goal of the game clinched the win for the Warriors. Sullivan began the play by receiving a lengthy pass from the back and quickly moving toward WU's on-rushing goalie Nicole Price (Jr., Auburn, WA/Thomas Jefferson HS).

Sullivan blasted a powerful shot from 25 yards out. Price, who entered the game several minutes after Rowan's goal, made a diving kick save near the top of the penalty area. Despite the solid save by Price, Sullivan was able to track down the ball and send a shot from 24 yards into the empty net.

Corban achieved a 17-6 advantage in total shots, including 11-2 in the second half. The Warriors also owned a 12-3 margin in shots on goal. Sullivan led all players with nine total shots, including six shots on goal.

Kaitlyn Mendenhall, who played the final 45 minutes in goal for Corban, recorded the win. She made one save and improved to 3-0 on the season. Alexis Beattie was in goal for the Warriors in the first half.

Barbieri earned five saves for Willamette, but suffered the goalkeeping loss. Price earned three saves for the Bearcats.

Willamette will return to action on Tuesday, Sept. 4 to take on Northwest Christian University in Eugene, Ore. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. (PDT).