It seemed to be just a matter of time. The Spring Arbor University women's soccer team has established a pattern of outshooting their opponents this year. In fact, Spring Arbor has held an edge in shots and shots on goal in every contest but two of their thirteen matches so far this season. The Lady Cougars hold a 272-91 edge in shots over their opponents this season. All of those shots don't always translate to goals however, as the Cougars held just a 21-10 advantage in goals scored over their opponents heading into today's conference tilt with Bethel College. SAU was able to turn the tables in a big way today, notching seven goals in a 7-0 landslide victory over the Pilots.
Freshman phenom Karly Linton got things rolling early for the Lady Cougars as she got on the end of a ball played across the Bethel penalty area in the eighth minute of play and slotted it past Pilot goalkeeper Rachel Lengacher. Maegan Smith and Ashley Denio were credited with assists on the play.
Spring Arbor continued to press and launched 10 more shots in the period but were unable to get another ball behind Lengacher before the intermission.
The Spring Arbor offense opened the floodgates in the second period however and added six markers to their tally to put the game on ice. Freshmen Ashley DeNio and Chloe Maxwell each notched a goal in the second stanza. Seniors Jessica Clarke, Christina Riske and Jenna Bigger each also added a solo tally, as did sophomore Maegan Smith. Senior Kristin Abbott collected a pair of assists in the second half. Jalese DeBiasi, Braydan Wiles and Smith were also credited with helpers in the final period.
"We did a good job finishing our opportunities today," commented SAU head coach Jason Crist. The girls did a nice job in the final third, and we are certainly happy with the conference result.
Spring Arbor outshot the Pilots 32-1 in the contest and enjoyed a 10-0 bulge in corner kicks as well. The Lady Cougars will hit the road to take on Taylor University on Tuesday. The game will be played on Taylor's campus in Upland, IN and will kick off at 4:00 p.m.
