SALEM, Ore. – The Corban University Warriors scored first but the Carroll College women's soccer team answered to earn a 2-1 win to move to 5-3 on the season and 2-0 in Cascade Conference play Saturday in Salem.
 
The game was played in a heavy rainstorm at Warrior field in Salem and Corban put on a downpour of their own to open the game. The Warriors notched two shots on goal and five corner kicks in the first five minutes, culminating in a goal just 4:23 into the game.
 
Corban freshman defender Nicolle Ohama curled a corner-kick towards the goal. Goalkeeper Jamie Carter challenged for the ball in the air, but after making contact with the ball on a punch, it ricocheted back into the net, it was credited as an own goal.
 
The Saints would settle in. Carroll got on the board in the 22nd minute when Charly Clements knocked in her second goal as a Saint off a rebound. Michaela Kueffler attacked and her shot was knocked away by the warrior goalkeeper but Clements was there to pick up the rebound and equalize.
 
The two teams closed out the half tied but the second half would be all Saints. Carroll outshot Corban 5-1 and earned five corner kicks to CU's one.
 
"We knew they were going to come out to start the second half and try to set the tone but we were the ones that brought the intensity," head coach David Thorvilson said. "Our second goal was very ugly but it fit with the weather and the style of play."
 
Carroll gained the advantage when Payton Netz notched her team-leading fourth goal of the season in the 60th minute on a header off of a cross from Natalie Johnston.
 
Thorvilson is thrilled with his team's response after conceding an early goal. A similar thing happened earlier this season against The Master's which ended in a 2-1 loss.
 
"They pressed hard early, you can tell they wanted to get an early goal and they did," Thorvilson said. "But Corban exerted a lot of energy early and we kept playing our game and it worked out for us. Going down early on the road makes it tough to come back so I am excited that we got it done."
 
The end result was a Carroll win but the weather made things difficult for both teams.
 
"It was pouring rain we were soaking wet," Thorvilson said. "The field was a pool of mud. It was just a flat out ugly game. Regardless, we came out on top and started conference 2-0 on the road and that is what matters."
 
The Saints open the home conference season Thursday against Eastern Oregon at 4 p.m. at Nelson Stadium.