EUGENE, Ore.  – Freshman Gianna Rains scored the only goal of the game in the seventh minute and the Northwest Christian University women's soccer team hung on to defeat Corban University on Friday Afternoon in Cascade Collegiate Conference action.
 
It was the first win of the season for the Beacons, giving first-year Head Coach Jessica Cardwell her first collegiate coaching victory. It was also NCU's first ever win over the Warriors, after nine straight defeats dating back to 2006.
 
Cardwell said, "We had an awesome week of practice leading up to today so we entered knowing that we had what it took to win. We had a lot of heartbreak games over the past two weeks but the girls responded well and we learned from them.
 
The Beacons blitz Corban right from the gates, building an early 8-0 lead in shots. In the seventh minute, the NCU offense streaked down the field, eventually finding the feet of Melyssa Weber. Weber placed a ground-ball cross into the box where Rains slid in with perfect timing to nudge the ball into the back of the net.
 
Coach Cardwell said, "For Gianna to get her first collegiate goal with a game winner was incredible. We could not ask more of her than what she gave on that play. That perseverance is what we have been focusing on."
 
NCU hung on to an 8-3 lead in shot attempts in the first half and did not allow a shot-on-goal to the Warriors until the final 20 minutes of the contest.
 
Senior Kristin Fulbright recorded her 13th career shutout, needing to make just one save as the defensive back line was hard at work all afternoon.
 
"Our backline of Britnee Joaquin, Annie Tunstill, Amanda Hadsell and Joceline Howard battled hard today," said Cardwell. "Kristin was very vocal and kept us organized in the back and that is what won us the game today."
 
The Beacons are off until next Friday when they return to Mike Kelly Field to take on Rocky Mountain College at 7 pm. It will be the first ever meeting between the schools.