A spirited homecoming crowd and a fired up opponent were not enough to deter the Spring Arbor University women's soccer team from earning a hard fought victory on the road in Deerfield, IL at Trinity International University on Saturday.
The hosts came out fired up and used a direct, physical style and high pressure in the midfield to disrupt the Cougar attack in the first half of play. The Cougars back four was solid throughout the first forty five minutes however and allowed TIU just two shots in the period. SAU's offense managed just five of their own, with the best opportunity coming off the foot of freshman Braydan Wiles near the end of the half. Wiles navigated a trio of Trojan defenders on her run into the right side of the TIU penalty area. Her right footed shot however glanced off the outside of the near post for a goal kick.
Some halftime adjustments served Spring Arbor well, as the Cougars immediately came out and laid siege to the TIU to start the second half.
Sophomore Ali Nichols redirected a Stephanie Moore shot with her head and had TIU goalkeeper Rebekah Niedermayer beat, but the effort hit the underside of the crossbar and came straight down without finding the Trojan net just four minutes into the half. Although SAU forwards scrambled for the rebound, Niedermayer was quick to recover and smothered the loose ball inside her six yard box.
The relief was short lived for the hosts however as just five minutes later senior Heidi Sharp notched her team leading fourth goal of the season. Wiles was in the right spot and cleaned up a rebound after an Alyssa Curtis corner kick. Her right footed shot was directly at Sharp who had set up camp at the top of the TIU six yard box. Sharp used a back heel to redirect the shot past Niedermayer who was frozen by the quick misdirection.
The Cougar defense made the lone tally hold up, as they held the host Trojans to a single shot in the second half of play. For the game SAU out-shot TIU 10-3. The Cougars put five of their efforts on frame, while TIU managed just one shot on goal.
"This was a good result for us," commented SAU head coach Jason Crist. "Trinity International always has a good team, and they are well coached. To get a road win in difficult circumstances and on their homecoming is a positive for us."
Crist lauded the play of his defense through the early part of the season. "Our backs have been very solid this year and have allowed us a chance to win every game that we've played," noted Crist. "If we can continue to get better finishing our chances, we should have a tough team to beat down the stretch in conference play."
Spring Arbor improves to 3-4-1 with the win and has played just two teams in their non-conference schedule who have not appeared in the NAIA top 25 polls this season or received votes to do so.
Spring Arbor is back in action on Monday when they welcome Rochester College to campus for a 4:00 p.m. kickoff.
