A last minute goal from the Grace College Lancers spoiled what would have been a conference win for Spring Arbor University on Saturday.
The Cougars, (8-5-2 / 3-1-1 MCC) controlled the majority of the play and dominated every statistical category, but were only able to make good on one of their many quality chances throughout the match, and were forced to settle for the draw.
After ringing the crossbar in the opening minutes, Spring Arbor was able to break through in the 16th minute of action when Ali Nichols flicked a ball to Kristin Abbott in the Grace penalty area. Abbott sent a low left footer past the Grace keeper to put the Lady Cougars in the driver's seat.
The remainder of the match was tightly contested, but played mainly in the middle and attacking thirds of the field for Spring Arbor. SAU reeled off 18 shots for the game, while Grace hit ten of their own. Spring Arbor also had a decided advantage in corner kicks, owning a 12-1 bulge. The Lady Cougars put 12 of their shots on frame, while Grace managed five shots on goal in the contest.
The clock wound down and matters grew desperate for the visitors. With about five minutes left in the match, Grace threw many of their players forward and began a more direct attack towards the SAU net. The Lady Cougars made a rare mistake in the back as a ball launched into their penalty area was not cleared successfully and popped out to Grace's Sara Morgan who was unmarked. Morgan slid the ball past Cougar goalkeeper Flo Atar to tie the game up with just 38 seconds remaining on the clock.
Spring Arbor out-shot Grace 5-2 through two overtime periods, but could not find the game winner.
"Hats off to Grace for scratching out a goal when they needed it most," commented SAU head coach Jason Crist. "We did a good job of creating opportunities and a poor job of finishing them today. Grace is a solid team, we let them hang around, and they made us pay for it. We need to play off each other better and finishes our chances when we get them; it's as simple as that."
The Cougars will be back in action on Wednesday when they travel to Fort Wayne to take on the University of St. Francis in another crucial MCC matchup. The game is scheduled to start at 4:00 p.m.
