PORTLAND | The Warner Pacific Knights Men's Soccer dropped game two of a two-game series against No. 15 Corban University in a 2-1 defeat on Monday afternoon. Just a day prior, the Knights had handed the Warriors their first loss of the season. The Knights will close out the regular season with home games against Bushnell next Monday and Tuesday, April 5-6, at 2pm.
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The Rundown
Corban came out aggressive against Warner Pac, looking to get revenge on the stunner they had experienced a day prior; the Warriors committed 14 fouls on the day as opposed to the Knights' nine.
After a very well defended 36 minutes of play, the Warriors found an opening in the historically tight Warner Pacific defense and slotted a goal through the feet of the defenders and keepers to take a 1-0 lead heading into the break.
The Warner Pacific defense allows an average of just one goal allowed per game.
Corban, determined to go out with a win for their seniors, struck again, just two minutes into the second half with a close range shot by Evan Hoover. The goal would end up being the game-winning.
Refusing to go down without a fight, Warner Pacific, down by two goals, continued to pressure the Warrior defense, pressing towards their goal. Having compromised their defense, the Knights drew a foul in the box.
Nick Evans converted on the free opportunity and with forty minutes left, the Knights trailed by one.
For the first time this season, the Knights committed a foul in the penalty box giving an opportunity for extra insurance on a victory. Fortunately for the Knights and keeper
Alexis Calderilla-Hurtado, the Warrior Penalty Kick went wide.
Despite a number of scares by the Knights offense, the Warrior defense did their job to close out the regular season with a win.
Deeper Look
Warner Pacific fired off seven shots on the day
Nick Evans tallied his tenth goal of this season
Alexis Calderilla-Hurtado moves to 5-3 on the season with 34 saves
Flash Forward
The Knights will close out the regular season with home games against Bushnell University on Monday, April 5
th and Tuesday, April 6
th with kickoff schedule for 2pm both days, with hopes of receiving an at-large bid for the National Tournament.