SPRING ARBOR, Mich. – The 6th ranked Spring Arbor University women's soccer team held on to defeat No. 17 Grace College 1-0 in the 2014 Crossroads League Tournament finals on Saturday.
Freshman Aubrey Schierbeek found the back of the net in the 17th minute off a corner kick from senior Becca Lynn and the Cougars would make the lead hold up to claim their fifth straight Crossroads League Tournament championship.
Grace (13-4-3, 8-1 Crossroads League), who entered as the No. 2-seed, came charging out of the gates generating a pair of corner kicks and five shots through the first 14 minutes, but goalkeeper Sarah Yancer was up to the task and kept the Lancers off the scoreboard.
The Cougars did not create their first chance until the 17th minute, and capitalized on the opportunity. Lynn lofted her corner kick to the back post where it found the head of Renee Broekhuizen. After the initial header was stopped, a scramble ensued with the ball eventually finding the foot of Schierbeek who punched it home to give SAU the lead.
Over the next 10 minutes, the Cougars would continue to apply the pressure putting three more shots on target, but GC's Abby Schue would come up big to keep the deficit at one heading into halftime.
In the second half, Grace did an excellent job of possessing the ball and controlling the tempo of the game. The Lancers tested Yancer early in the period, but the sure-handed netminder made a couple terrific saves to preserve the lead.
Spring Arbor was outshot 6-0 over the final 45 minutes, but the outstanding defensive play of the Cougars, anchored by the Crossroads League Player of the Year Courtney Harrison, helped lift the team to the victory.
Schierbeek finished the match with four shots while Yancer made a season-high seven saves.
Grace held a 12-6 advantage in shots and a 3-2 edge in corner kicks.
Spring Arbor (18-1-1, 9-0 Crossroads League) will play in its fifth consecutive NAIA National Tournament with the opening round match scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 22.
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