Corbett takes the lead seven minutes into the match and its back line seals the victory

The Corbett girls soccer team struck in the opening minutes and that proved to be enough in a 1-0 win over Santiam Christian in the opening round of the 3A playoffs Tuesday night.

The Cardinals got on the scoreboard seven minutes into the match when Kelsie Duncan cleaned up a rebound that came out about 10 yards in front of the net.

“I saw the ball come out of the goalie’s hands, and I just had to put it in the back of the goal,” Duncan said. “I was just thinking ‘don’t miss’.”

Corbett’s Emma Peterson had a shot deflect off the goalie’s hands and into the bottom of the cross bar later in the first half, while Duncan saw a shot ding the post early in the second half.

Corbett advances to face reigning 3A champion Oregon Episcopal on Saturday. The Aardvarks are 12-1-1 this season, including a 3-0 win over Corbett in the first week of the season.

“They are a tough team, well coached with a lot of skilled players,” Corbett coach Scott Hassebroek said. “I’m hoping we can give them a better battle this time. I know we’re a better team now than what we were early in the season.”

Look for extended match coverage in the Friday, Nov. 9, print edition.

View a photo gallery of Tuesday’s match at …

http://daveball.exposuremanager.com/g/nov6_santiam_v_corbett_gsoc