The Spring Arbor University women's soccer team pulled out all the stops on senior night, and after honoring seniors Amy Koester, Brooklyn Morgan, Ashley DeNio and Karly Linton in the pregame, cruised to a 4-1 win over conference rival Indiana Wesleyan University in a match that clinched the Crossroads League regular season championship for the Lady Cougars.
The Wildcats drew first blood, as Nicole Biggs netted IWU's first shot of the match in the 18th minute of play. The Cougars, who had only registered one shot of their own in the first 18 minutes roared to life shortly after.
In the 24th minute senior Karly Linton shook a pair of Wildcat defenders and netted the tying goal, her 19th of the season. The Spring Arbor faithful in the stands came to life as Linton provided just a preview of what was to come for the evening.
Freshman Corrie Good found Linton sixteen minutes later and the Midland, Michigan native cashed in again, this time with a half volley from near the top of the Wildcat penalty area.
Sophomore Kristina Sobel made the Cougar lead 3-1 just three minutes later when her high shot beat IWU keeper Rachel Fulkerson to the top right corner. Senior Ashley DeNio was credited with the assist on Sobel's goal.
Linton put the game on ice just eight minutes after halftime when IWU was whistled for a foul in their penalty area. Linton beat Fulkerson with the ensuing penalty kick to make the score 4-1 SAU. The goal helped seal the match for Spring Arbor but it was historically significant as well.
Linton's 21st goal of the season was also her 61st career goal for Spring Arbor, eclipsing a ten year old career goal scoring record held by Amy Lassanske (Douglass '04). Lassanske owned the record with 60 tallies and helped lead SAU to the NAIA national tournament for the first time in school history in 2004. Linton has now helped lead the Lady Cougars to three straight NAIA National Tournaments heading into her senior postseason.
"Tonight was a great night to honor our seniors," commented SAU head coach Jason Crist. "I have the utmost respect for Indiana Wesleyan and the work that their coaching staff does with that team. They are fierce competitors and are a class act as well. It's always a hard fought match, and it's a great rivalry. Our seniors were really motivated to play tonight."
Regarding Linton's accomplishment, Crist lauded the work ethic of his senior captain. "Karly is what happens when talent meets hard work," noted Crist. "We have been blessed with many fantastic players here throughout the years, but few have had the amazing level of drive, competitive nature and work rate that Karly possesses to go along with her talent. She has worked very hard to develop her God-given gifts and develop herself the player that she is. I am very happy for her and proud of her."
The Cougars owned the stat sheet on the evening, firing 30 shots in the contest compared to five for the visiting Wildcats. Sophomore goalkeeper Sarah Yancer picked up two saves in her 14th win of the season.
The NAIA #8 ranked Lady Cougars (14-2-1/8-0) will be back in action Saturday evening when they travel to Goshen, Indiana to round out their Crossroads League regular season against the Goshen College Maple Leafs. The match will kick off at 7:00 p.m.
