Spring Arbor University sophomore forward
Megan Wegener is turning into a clutch performer for the Lady Cougars. For the second consecutive game Wegener netted the game winning goal, this time in dramatic fashion as the NAIA #20 ranked Cougars dropped former WHAC rival Cornerstone University 2-1 in double overtime.
In a physical matchup, Cornerstone set the tone to the match early. As the Cougars pressed on the offensive end of the field, the Golden Eagles played tough, physical defense and looked to poach their opportunities on counterattacks. In spite of outshooting Cornerstone 11-5 in the opening frame, some strong play from the Golden Eagles back four and goalkeeper Alyssa Morrow forced the visiting Cougars to come up empty, and the teams entered the halftime intermission with the score knotted at 0-0.
Spring Arbor continued to apply pressure in the second half, but it was a Cornerstone counter that almost spelled their doom. Rushing out after a Spring Arbor corner kick attempt in the 57th minute, the Golden Eagles ran the length of the field and drew a foul just outside the Spring Arbor penalty area. Cornerstone's Ashleigh Lund got her head on the ensuing free kick and looped a header over Spring Arbor goalkeeper Christina Riske for the game's opening tally.
Spring Arbor continued to press forward, and it looked as they found the equalizer in the 75th minute when senior forward Kristin Abbott had a brilliant chance on a full bicycle kick from about 12 yards out. Abbott's upside down and backwards shot was a laser that had Morrow beat, but hit Cougar midfielder Ashley DeNio in the head just in front of the goal line and bounded harmlessly away from the CU goal.
As the clock wound down, Spring Arbor began to commit more and more players forward in search of the equalizer. It wasn't until the final 30 seconds of play that the Cougars would find the opportunity that they were looking for. Substitute defender Jalese DeBiasi made a strong run up the right side of the field and served a perfect ball into the back post where Abbott was waiting. Staying upright this time, the 5'3 Troy, Michigan native calmly tapped the ball in past a sprawling Morrow at the back post with just 17 seconds left, setting up overtime.
Spring Arbor continued to dominate the stat sheet in the first extra period, outshooting Cornerstone 5-2, but could not find the game winner.
Enter Megan Wegener.
Coming off the bench to start the second overtime period, the Saginaw, Michigan native beat her marker on the left side of the field four minutes in and calmly slid a low shot to the far post that beat Morrow and ended the game. Wegener also netted the game winner at former WHAC foe Aquinas College last week.
"Megan brings energy to the game when we bring her off the bench," commented Spring Arbor head coach Jason Crist. "She is one of the hardest workers on the team and it's very gratifying to see her have success out there."
Crist was optimistic about his team's performance after the game. "It would have been easy for us to hang our heads and go out quietly after they scored. Instead I think we showed a tremendous resolve to get the job done, and stayed with it until the very end of the game. I am proud that we were mentally tough enough to get the result that we needed and that we deserved."
Spring Arbor was dominant statistically, firing 29 shots to just 9 for the hosts. The Cougars also enjoyed an 8-0 bulge in corner kicks during the contest. Riske went the distance in the net for Spring Arbor, and was credited with four saves in the win. Morrow notched 12 stops for the Golden Eagles.
The Lady Cougars will be back in action this weekend when they travel to Chicago to take on Olivet Nazarene University and Trinity International University in a tournament hosted by ONU. Both teams are receiving votes in the NAIA top 25 Polls.
