By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Corban University built a 2-0 led and held off Willamette University for a 2-1 win on Saturday, Aug. 28, in a men's soccer exhibition game for the Bearcats at Sparks Field. The game counted for Corban, which competes in the NAIA and the Cascade Collegiate Conference. The Warriors, ranked #20 in the NAIA, moved to 1-0 on the season. Willamette is a member of NCAA Divison III and the Northwest Conference.

Midway through the first half, Corban took a 1-0 lead on a goal by Noah Dreves at 22:36. Dreves shot from six yards at the left edge of the goalie box and sent the ball into the lower right corner of the goal. Alvaro Arche was credited with an assist on the play.

Sean Kim (So., M, Sunnyvale, CA/Homestead HS) of Willamette had a chance to tie the game at 37:17, but his shot from just inside the 18-yard box hit the left post. Pierce Gallaway (Jr., M, Carmel, CA/Carmel HS) missed wide on a shot at 43:12, as Corban kept its one-goal lead at the break.

The Bearcats outshot the Warriors 9-6 in the second half, but Willamette was unable to tie the score. Corban extended its lead to 2-0 at 86:58, when Giacomo Sanvitale scored from 12 yards into the lower left corner of the net. He was assisted by Matheus Giron.

Willamette continued to battle over the final three minutes, including a shot by Max Berner-Hays (Sr., D, Seattle, WA/Ballard HS) that went over the goal at 88:22. As the game entered the final minute, Berner-Hays provided the Bearcats with a header from close range, but Corban goalkeeper Justin Keegan saved the shot. The ball deflected to Gallaway, who hit the net with a header from six yards near the left post at 89:04.

Gallaway led the Bearcats with three shots, while Nate Sherwood topped Corban with three shots. The Bearcats gained a 14-12 advantage in total shots, with the Warriors gaining a 7-3 edge in shots on target. WU's starting goalie, Pierluca Carnovale (So., GK, Seattle, WA/Ballard HS) earned three saves in the first half. Anthony Richard-Bassett (Sr., GK, Salem, OR/South Salem HS) played the final 45 minutes in goal for the Bearcats and registered two saves. Keegan achieved two saves for Corban.

The Bearcats will open the season on Friday, Sept. 3 with a game at Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas. Game time is set for 8 p.m. CDT/6 p.m. PDT.