The Spring Arbor University women's soccer team notched a gritty 2-1 victory in the semi-final round of the MCC tournament over visiting Marian University tonight.

The Cougars controlled possession for long stretches but coughed up a goal late in the game to make things interesting for the final ten minutes.

Freshman Olivia Clark got things rolling for Spring Arbor in the 37th minute of play when she slotted home a Karly Linton cross to give the Cougars a 1-0 lead heading into halftime.  Spring Arbor out-shot the Knights 12-4 in the opening 45 minutes.

Smith scored the eventual game winner in the 64th minute when she connected on one of her game high ten shots on the night.  Marian goalkeeper Jessica Fisher sparkled throughout the game and denied Smith on several dangerous opportunities on the night.  Smith took a diagonal ball from Megan Wegener and rifled it over the top of Fisher to make things 2-0 for the hosts.

Marian clawed back into the match in the 72nd minute when Samantha Cook took a flick from Lauren Gerbick and found a little space in behind the Cougar center defense.  Cook made a clinical finish from about 12 yards out as SAU defenders raced to recover.

The match evened out for about ten minutes before Marian began to press hard for the equalizer over the final eight minutes of play.  SAU defended well and rode out the clock to the victory.

Spring Arbor out-shot Marian 27-12 overall on the evening and owned a 17-6 shots on goal advantage as well.

"We played some of the best soccer this year for about 80 minutes of the match," commented SAU head coach Jason Crist.  "Marian fought very hard and made us work for this result,they are a tough team.  I wish we had finished our chances a little better.  We created some very good looks and normally we put those balls away.  Their goalkeeper (Fisher) played exceptionally well.  She kept them in it when we should have put them away.  We can't let good teams hang around like that."

Spring Arbor moves to 17-2-1 on the season while Marian finishes their year at 12-6-2.  The Cougars will welcome Mount Vernon Nazarene University to campus next Saturday for the MCC tournament finals.  MVNU upset #2 Grace College 2-1 in the other semi-final today and were seeded 3rd entering the tournament.  Game time will be released as soon as possible.