It's been a tough opening to to the 2008 season for the Spring Arbor University women's soccer team. Injuries to key players combined with a very aggressive schedule have made the first few games a challenge for the Lady Cougars. The team seems to be finding it's stride however, as they cruised to their third consecutive shutout with a 3-0 victory over visiting Siena Heights University today.
In spite of controlling the play throughout the opening 45 minutes, it wasn't until the final minute of the half that the Cougars would find paydirt and put a shot behind the Saints sophomore goalkeeper Haley Mancini.
Katie Sayler fought off a challenge at the top of the SHU penalty area and got behind her marker before slotting the ball over to sophomore Jessica Clarke (right) who flicked the ball behind her leg and past Mancini for what would turn out to be the game winning goal. The Cougars outshot the Saints 8-2 in the opening stanza.
The Saints came out fired up to start the second half, but SAU soon squelched their hopes, as Megan Cogan sprung Kristin Abbott in behind the defense in the 53rd minute. Abbott drew the Saints sweeper to the side and slotted a perfect ball to a streaking Katie Sayler who finished past a diving Mancini for her team leading fourth goal of the season. Spring Arbor struck again just six minutes later to put the game on ice when Heidi Sharp first timed a missed Saints clearance off from a Jamie Siedzik corner kick. Sharp's full volley whistled past Mancini to put the Cougars up 3-0.
SAU outshot the Saints 17-8 for the game, and put 12 of their 17 attempts on frame. The Cougars also enjoyed a 9-0 edge in corner kicks.
"We're finally getting healthy," commented SAU head coach Jason Crist. "Some of our key players are starting to return to form, and we're getting a well rounded effort from the whole team. We've played every available player in every match so far this season. That's a testament to how hard all our players have worked in the off season, and how much progress that they have made. We have a pair of tough matches this weekend and we'll be gearing up for a difficult MCC run through October. I think we'll get our best when we need it."
Spring Arbor will be back in action on Friday when they face off with Judson University in the opening round of the Mount Vernon Nazarene University tournament. The Lady Cougars will face Notre Dame College (OH) on Saturday.
