Corban Rallies to Defeat Western Oregon, 2-1

With the win, Corban improves to 5-6-0 overall, while Western Oregon drops to 0-8-2 overall.

Senior Megan Waunch tallied her fourth goal in the past three contests, as Corban defeated the Wolves of WOU on Tuesday. Photo courtesy: Corban Sports Information

SALEM, Ore. - Senior Megan Waunch, who is the reigning conference and regional Offensive Player of the Week, scored the game-winning goal in Corban's women's soccer team's 2-1 victory over NCAA Division II member Western Oregon on Tuesday at Sparks Field.

Less than twelve hours after being named Player of the Week, Waunch had a hand in both of Corban's goals Tuesday night on the campus of Willamette University.

After falling behind 1-0 on a goal by Western Oregon's Kristie Adkins, Waunch tapped the kick off to sophomore Jessica Matthews.

Following the quick pass from Waunch, Matthews lofted a shot from 45 yards out, up over the out-stretched arms of the Wolves' net-minder and into the lower left corner for her team-leading seventh goal of the season.

Matthews' tally came a mere ten seconds after Western Oregon took the lead in 16 minutes and 38 seconds into the non-conference contest.

Battling toe-to-toe and keeping each other without a goal over the next 50-plus minutes, Corban finally broke through and struck the game-winner when Waunch took a through ball from freshman Katie Hanson, beat a pair of Wolves' defenders, and went one-on-one with WOU's net-minder.

Knowing that timing would play a key in the outcome of her shot, Waunch waited just long enough before sliding a shot underneath the out-stretched right arm of WOU's Kelsie Blachly and into the back of the net for her fourth goal in the Warriors' past three games.

With Western Oregon applying the pressure in the waning minutes of the game, Corban hung tough and made one final offensive run with exactly one minute remaining in the game.

After battling for 50 seconds, Corban was awarded a free kick from just outside the 18-yard box with ten seconds left and held the ball long enough for the clock to run out therefore awarding the Warriors their second win in three years over Western Oregon.

Junior goalkeeper Karyn Allen played the entire 90 minutes between the pipes for Corban and recorded a game-high four saves.

On the other hand, Western Oregon's Blachly recorded a pair of saves, but allowed both goals en route to suffering the loss.

With the win, Corban improves to 5-6-0 overall, while Western Oregon drops to 0-8-2 overall.

The Warriors are next in action on Friday, September 29th, when they return to Cascade Collegiate Conference play against Albertson College of Idaho beginning at 4:00 p.m. (MST) in Caldwell, Idaho.

Source: Corban Sports Information

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