SPRING ARBOR, Mich. – The Spring Arbor University men's soccer team scored twice in the second half to defeat visiting Bethel College 3-1 in Crossroads League action on Saturday night.
The Cougars improved their overall record to 10-1-3 with the victory and remain unbeaten in the conference at 3-0-2. Meanwhile, the Pilots dropped to 7-5-1 on the season and 2-3-0 in the Crossroads League.
Spring Arbor got the scoring started in the 13th minute when junior Stevenson Storm took a pass from Jared Putt and ripped a shot far post past the Bethel goalkeeper for an early 1-0 advantage.
The lead was short lived, however, as Bethel's Helton Moura answered less than 30 seconds later to level the match.
The Pilots, who entered as one of the top offensive teams in the conference, continued to play tough the rest of the half but, despite outshooting the hosts 12-6 in the period, would enter halftime even at 1-1.
Just over 10 minutes into the second half, Bethel created another dangerous chance on a blast from Lukas Muszong, but SAU netminder Billy Irvine made an outstanding save, getting just enough of the shot to redirect it off the crossbar and out of play.
Moments later, the Cougars would take the lead for good when freshman Jake Sterling served a perfect free kick from the right wing to the back post where sophomore Michael Caccavo headed it into the back of the net for the go-ahead goal.
In the 76th minute, Putt would tack on an insurance goal to seal the win. Freshman Austin Rahman got it started by blowing by his defender and found Putt, who shook a pair of defenders before placing a shot far post past the keeper.
Storm led the Cougars with five shots while Kevin Veeder and Sean Cook added two apiece. Irvine recorded four saves on the night.
Bethel finished the match with 17 shots compared to SAU's 13, but the Cougars had 10 corner kicks to BC's three.
Up next, Spring Arbor will travel to Marian University on Wednesday, Oct. 15. The match is slated for a 7 p.m. start.
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