There aren't many sports where one team can take twice as many shots as their opponents, create twice as many scoring opportunities and still lose. Unfortunately for the Spring Arbor University women's soccer team, soccer is one of them.

Spring Arbor dropped a 2-1 overtime decision to Grace College who is second in the MCC tables behind the Lady Cougars, in spite of out-shooting the host Lancers 24-12.

The Cougar's 1-2 punch of Maegan Smith and Karly Linton hooked up to give the Cougars the lead in the 35th minute of play, as Smith found Linton behind the Lancer defense and Linton poked the ball under the Lancer keeper.

SAU would enjoy the advantage on the scoreboard throughout the game until there were around eight minutes left to play.  The Spring Arbor defense cleared a ball out of their penalty area right to a Lancer midfielder who settled it and laced a high looping shot from around thirty yards out.  The effort got up in the wind and settled just over the outstretched hands of Cougar keeper Brooklyn Morgan to knot things up at one apiece.

With neither team able to break through again in regulation, the two teams headed into overtime.  After Spring Arbor surrendered their first corner kick of the match, the Lancers flew one in from the flag that again got up into the 25-35 mph wind and blew towards the Cougar net, surprising Morgan and slipping in at the near post for the game winner.

"First of all, credit to Grace College," commented SAU head coach Jason Crist.  We didn't give them many opportunities, but they were quick to make us pay for our mistakes.  They played a great game are a solid and well coached team.  Aside from that, we let one get away from us today, plain and simple.  We didn't play as well as we could have, but we played well enough to win the match.  We created plenty of chances and we simply have to be better finishing our opportunities. We can't let good teams hang around."

The #10 Cougars will play two of their final three games at home to close out the MCC season.  SAU welcomes Huntington University on Wednesday evening before traveling to Goshen College next Saturday night.  The Lady Cougars will round out the regular season with a home match with the University of St. Francis on the following Tuesday.

"We control our own destiny in the MCC," finished Crist. "It's up to how we respond to this setback to determine if we can reach our goals."