The Spring Arbor University women's soccer team dropped it's first match of the season 1-0 in overtime to NAIA #23 Indiana Wesleyan University on the road in Marion, Indiana last night.

In a back and forth battle, both teams had opportunities to score in regulation, but both defenses held strong to maintain the 0-0 stalemate through 90 minutes. The Cougars were whistled for a season high 25 fouls in the whistle-laden match, while the hosts were reprimanded 18 times.

It was a questionable call that led to the Cougars un-doing as the first overtime period drew to a close. Sophomore midfielder Jamie Siedzik was applying pressure to an Indiana Wesleyan forward when the center official whistled the Romeo, Michigan native for a foul on what appeared to be an innocent play with less than a minute remaining.

As time ticked down, IWU defender Sara Horsch ran forward to take the resulting free kick. Horsch's shot was a low top-spinning effort that got by the Spring Arbor defensive wall. With Spring Arbor goalkeeper Christina Riske coming out of her net bent over to scoop up the shot, the ball hit Cougar center back Cara Wallschlaeger in the heel and hopped straight up in the air, over the stooping Riske and into the top part of the Spring Arbor net.

"What an unfortunate end to an otherwise well played game by both teams," commented SAU head coach Jason Crist. "Indiana Wesleyan is a good team, and I felt like we played well at times, but could have been a lot more consistent. Soccer is a funny game, and it doesn't always go as planned. I am proud of our players, how hard they played and how well they represented their University and their Lord tonight."

The Cougars are back in action on Saturday when they welcome Goshen College to campus for a 1:00 p.m. kickoff in the opening round of the MCC playoffs.