The Spring Arbor University women's soccer team used a dominant second half performance to roll past the Bethel College Pilots on Friday night. Despite sloppy conditions due to rain, the Cougars were still able to produce a necessary MCC conference win, 2-1 over the Pilots. Spring Arbor is now 5-1-1 in the conference and 10-5-2 overall entering their final regular season conference game on Tuesday against Marian College in a NAIA featured match-up of the week.
The Cougars were off to a slow start in the first half, allowing the Pilots to score the first goal of the match, and what would be their only goal of the night, off of a cross that slipped between SAU defenders. There would be no more scoring action in the first half by either the Cougars or the Pilots.
In the second half a clearly different Cougar team took the field and took control of the match. Junior forward Jessica Clarke showed off her finishing skills in the second half, scoring both of the Spring Arbor goals. Clarke's first goal came after she beat her player around the corner on the right side of the field and rocketed a shot into the upper left hand side of the net. The goal was assisted by goal keeper Flo Atar. Atar punted the ball well over the center of the field to be settled by Clarke. Clarke was able to control the long punt and beat the USF player to net to score the game goal.
The game winning tally came with about ten minutes left in the match. Junior forward Kristin Abott made a run at the heart of the Bethel defense, forcing the Pilot's center back to commit to her before slotting the ball over to a streaking Clarke who calmly slid the ball under Pilot netminder Elyse Powell for her 8th goal of the year and the game winner.
"It was a needed win going into the final conference game against Marian," commented head coach Jason Crist. "Although the girls play wasn't up to par in the first half, they were able to refocus and control the play in the second half. They will have to play to their full potential to challenge for an MCC tournament title and a berth into the NAIA national tournament."
The Lady Cougars play their final regular season match in a much anticipated game against Marian College on Tuesday October 27th for their senior day at 3:00 p.m. at home.
