By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications
SALEM, Ore. -- Clara Mattison (Jr., M, Burlington, WA/Burlington Edison HS) converted a penalty kick in the closing minutes for Willamette University, but Corban University held on for a 2-1 victory over the Bearcats in a battle of crosstown rivals on Wednesday, Sept. 1 at Sparks Field. Corban registered one goal early in the first half and another goal with about 10 minutes remaining in the game to build a 2-0 lead, as the Warriors improved to 2-0 with the win. Willamette, playing its regular season opener, fell to 0-1.
Corban competes in the NAIA and the Cascade Collegiate Conference. Willamette is a member of NCAA Division III and the Northwest Conference.
Maria-Franc Serrant opened the scoring for the Warriors at 12:24 on a shot into the upper right corner of the goal. She brought the ball down the left side of the field on a break-away, cut back toward the middle before shooting. Serrant's unassisted goal provided Corban with a 1-0 lead at halftime. The Warriors outshot Willamette 7-2 in the first half, including 5-2 in shots on goal.
The Warriors extended their lead to 2-0 on a goal by Aubrey Smith at 80:18. Just over eight minutes later at 88:39, Corban was called for a foul inside its own penalty area, which resulted in a penalty kick for the Bearcats. Mattison lined up for the spot kick and successfully sent the ball past Corban goalkeeper Makida Herbert. The Bearcats were unable to create a game-tying shot in the final 1:21 after Mattison's goal cut the Warrior's lead to 2-1.
Corban gained a 21-7 advantage in total shots during the game and held a 9-5 edge in shots on target. WU's starting goalie, Jordan Roue (Gr., GK, San Jose, CA/Prospect HS) earned three saves in the first half, and Sam Borngasser (Fy., GK, Grants Pass, OR/Grants Pass HS) recorded three saves for the Bearcats in the second half. Hebert was credited with four saves for the Warriors.
Mei Suetsugu of Corban led all players with five total shots. She placed two of her shots on goal. Serrant provided the visitors with four shots, including three shots on goal. Nina Krassner-Cybulski (Fy., F, Porter Ranch, CA/Agoura HS) topped Willamette with two shots -- both on target.
Willamette will return to action on Friday, Sept. 3 against Claremont-Mudd-Scripps (Calif.). The game will be played at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, California, at 6:30 p.m. (PDT).
