SPRING ARBOR, Mich. – In a clash between two NAIA Top 25 ranked squads, it was the 12th ranked Spring Arbor University women's soccer team who came out on top, blanking No. 18 Mount Vernon Nazarene University 2-0 on Saturday night.
The Cougars improved their record to 9-1-1 and 3-0-0 in the Crossroads League after posting their seventh shutout of the season, holding the high-powered Mount Vernon Nazarene offense – featuring the league's leading scorer Rachel Baker – scoreless for only the second time this season.
Spring Arbor owned a 1-0 lead over the visiting Cougars heading into halftime following a goal by Aubrey Schierbeek in the 18th minute. Her first shot attempt from just outside the six-yard box was blocked after taking a pass from sophomore Corrie Good, but the freshman collected the rebound and blasted her next attempt past the MVNU keeper.
Mount Vernon Nazarene (9-2-1, 2-1-0 Crossroads League) had a chance to level the match midway through the second half when Baker got behind the SAU back line and was one-on-one with goalkeeper Sarah Yancer. However, senior back Megan Sullivan, hustling the whole way, caught up with Baker and made a tremendous play to break up Baker's attack at the top of the 18-yard box just before she was able to get her shot away.
Moments later, the Cougars would add an insurance goal when Alyssa Joseph tallied her first goal of the season. Senior Becca Lynn served a corner kick to the far post where Joseph was waiting and the sophomore headed it home to send SAU to a 2-0 victory.
Yancer made a pair of saves to record her sixth clean sheet of the season.
The Cougars were in control nearly the entire match, dictating play and outshooting MVNU 20-7 while owning a 7-5 advantage in corner kicks.
Spring Arbor will have back-to-back road matches beginning with a trip to Grace College on Wednesday, Oct. 8 at 7 p.m.
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