Warriors Win Second Annual Capitol Cup Over Bearcats

With the win, Corban improves to 4-5-2 overall, while Willamette falls to 2-7-1 on the season.

Junior James DelCastillo recorded a team-high seven saves, including numerous key stops in the second half, to preserve the Warriors' win over Willamette Tuesday in the 2nd annual Capitol Cup game. Photo courtesy: Corban Sports Information

SALEM, Ore. - In the 2nd annual Capitol Cup game, Corban's men's soccer team defeated cross-town rival and NCAA Division III member Willamette, 3-1, behind first half goals by freshmen Brendan McCornack and Travis Wells, as well as the game's final tally from senior Joshua Crain on Tuesday at Warrior Field.

Following last season's 4-2 win in the inaugural Capitol Cup game played at Sparks Field on the campus of Willamette University, things did not look to promising for the host Warriors this season after falling behind in the game's opening minutes.

Willamette's Conor Costigan took a one-two combo pass from teammates Greg Beasley and Michael Rodrigues in the 4th minute to put the visiting Bearcats up by a goal, 1-0.

Beasley and Costigan ended the play by teaming on a through ball straight across the mouth of the goal that ended with Costigan rifling a shot past Corban's keeper into the back of the net.

Seemingly in control during the first 20 minutes, Willamette self-destructed over the next 15 minutes as Corban recorded back-to-back unanswered goals.

McCornack began the Warriors' scoring when he collected an attempted cross by junior Justin Lucia, cut back through the 18-yard box, and unloaded a shot into the lower right corner for his 2nd goal of the season.

Just over 12 minutes later, Wells tallied his first collegiate goal when he rebounded a shot by senior Andrew Brown for what would turn out to be the game-winner.

Brown began the play by beating a Bearcat defender before going one-on-one with Willamette's goalkeeper.

Brown then poked a shot past everyone that looked like it was heading towards the goal only to have a Bearcat defender slide the initial shot away only to find Wells' feet.

Without hesitation, Wells sent the ball into the back of the net to give the Warriors a 2-1 advantage.

Clinging to its one-goal lead, Corban used its offensive runs wisely in the second half and got an insurance goal in the 86th minute when Crain notched his fourth goal of the season off a combo assist from junior Fernando Karczeski and Brown.

After receiving a pass from Karczeski, Crain gathered the ball, turned to his left, and unleashed a shot past a diving Bearcat net-minder to cap the game's scoring.

Corban's junior goalkeeper James DelCastillo played the entire time in net and recorded seven saves, while Willamette's net-minder Mark Bennett registered a game-high eight saves but could not keep the Warriors' offensive out of the net.

With the win, Corban improves to 4-5-2 overall, while Willamette falls to 2-7-1 on the season.

The Warriors are next in action on Thursday, October 4th, when they return to Cascade Collegiate Conference play against first-year member Northwest Christian beginning at 7:00 p.m. in Springfield.

Source: Corban Sports Information

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