INDIANAPOLIS – The Spring Arbor University men's soccer team played Marian University to a 1-1 draw in a hard-fought Crossroads League match at St. Vincent Health Field on Wednesday night.
Reigning Crossroads League Offensive Player of the Week Jared Putt stayed hot, scoring for the fifth time in the last three matches to help the Cougars overcome an early deficit and remain unbeaten in league play.
Despite controlling possession and tempo early on in the match, SAU found itself trailing 1-0 after Marian (5-6-2, 1-4-1 Crossroads League) struck in 15th minute. The Knights used that momentum to mount a couple more chances, but some solid play by goalkeeper Billy Irvine and the defense kept the deficit at one heading into halftime.
The Cougars responded in the second half, however, and found the equalizer in the 57th minute. Senior Riley Luttenton slipped a pass to the back post to a streaking Putt, who put a shot past the MU keeper to level the match.
The chances would continue to come for Spring Arbor in the second half, but the Cougars were unable to capitalize seeing a shot from Putt go off the crossbar and another blast from Michael Caccavo sail just over the upper right corner.
Just before the end of regulation, the Knights would create their own dangerous chance off a counter-attack, but Irvine would make a huge save from close range to keep the score at 1-1.
In the second extra session, Marian had a quality look, but SAU would make another great defensive play when Caccavo headed an MU shot away that was headed for the goal.
The Cougars held a 17-10 advantage in shots on the night with Putt registering six of those while Stevenson Storm added three. Irvine finished the match with four saves.
"A lot of credit goes to Marian tonight," said head coach Nathan Miller. "I thought they played really well and very hard. They really put in a shift. We just didn't execute in big moments like we know we need to. We created the moments we wanted but didn't have the final bite tonight. We know there is no time to dwell on the draw, we will move on to our weekend match."
Spring Arbor (10-1-4, 3-0-3 Crossroads League) will travel to conference rival Taylor University (10-4, 5-1 Crossroads League) on Saturday, Oct. 18. The match is slated for a 7 p.m. start.
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