The Spring Arbor University women's soccer team continues to show no mercy against their opponents winning their first conference match-up of the season against Taylor University. The Lady Cougars scored an impressive five goals against the Trojans, claiming a 5-1 victory. SAU women's soccer now has an overall record of 6-4-1 for the season and a 1-0 record for MCC play. The action packed conference opener is only the beginning of what is to come in the highly competitive race to claim the conference title.
The first goal of the game came in the third minute of play when junior Kristen Abbott beat her player around the end line and served a lofted ball across the box, where senior Heidi Sharp was able to head the cross into the top right corner of the net. Sharp got involved in the scoring action soon afterwards in the ninth minute of play when she passed the ball across the box to freshman Braydan Wiles who drove a shot into the top right corner of the goal. Before the first half was over the Trojans were able to sneak what would be their only goal of the game past the Cougars in a scramble after a Taylor corner kick.
In the second half of play, SAU did not let up in their offensive attack and dominated the pace of play. The Lady Cougars were able to net three more goals, beginning only two minutes into the half. After goal keeper Christina Riske made a save from a Trojan shot on goal, she recognized an immediate opportunity for a counter attack and threw the ball close to center field to junior Ali Nichols. Nichols played a ball to Abbott who met the ball at full pace, beating her defender to score on a breakaway. Abbott also scored the Cougars' fourth goal after being played a ball up the left side of the field from senior Stephanie Moore. Abbott rocked a shot into the upper 90 of the near post leaving the Trojan goalie confused. To finish the scoring of the match, junior Joy Duckworth took advantage of a rebound off of a Taylor save to complete the 5-1 victory.
SAU women's soccer play their second conference game this Wednesday, October 7th, at home at 4:00 p.m. against Goshen College.
