Stifling defense has become the signature of the 2012 version of the Spring Arbor University women's soccer team.

On Wednesday the Cougars assembled another smothering defensive performance as they took sole control of the Crossroads League standings with a 1-0 victory over a feisty University of St. Francis side.

In a game that turned very physical, SAU and USF battled through 63 scoreless minutes before Spring Arbor senior Braydan Wiles orchestrated a magical goal for the game winner. 

Wiles picked up a loose ball on the left side of the field around 30 yards from the USF net and beat her marker to the corner before combining beautifully with junior Brooklyn Morgan.  Wiles fed the ball into Morgan's checking run and then made a clever run behind the USF defense, receiving Morgan's return pass in stride.  As Wiles bore down on the USF goal, goalkeeper Abbie Christian rushed out to meet her.  Wiles cleverly slid the ball across the face of the net to freshman Nikki Bonnema who blasted the ball into the empty net from inside the six yard box.

Spring Arbor had several other good chances throughout the match, but never found the insurance goal they were looking for.

The Spring Arbor defense turned back any attack USF tried to muster throughout the night, not allowing the hosts a single shot on goal during the match, and limiting them to one shot overall.

In a game riddled with physical play, the Cougars unloaded nine shots of their own, forcing Christian into six saves on the night.

A few highlights from the USF sports information department are available here: SAU-USF Highlights

SAU freshman goalkeeper Sarah Yancer did not earn a save in picking up her eighth shut out of the season.

The NAIA #6 ranked Cougars move to 10-1-1 on the season and 3-0 in Crossroad League matches.

Spring Arbor will be back in action when they hit the road for the third straight game on Saturday.  They Cougars travel to Upland, Indiana to take on Taylor University.  The game is scheduled to kick off at 1:00 p.m.