SPRING ARBOR, Mich. – The 7th ranked Spring Arbor University women's soccer defeated Taylor University 1-0 in the Crossroads League Tournament semifinals on Saturday. A second half goal by Renee Broekhuizen proved to be enough to send the Cougars to the championship match where they will meet league rival Grace College.
After a scoreless first half where neither side was able to mount much of a threat, the Cougars settled in and began to control the game in the second. Spring Arbor earned a corner kick moments into the period which resulted in a chance from junior Shannon Balcer, but her shot would sail just high.
The Cougars continued to create chances before finally breaking through in the 70th minute. Balcer fed Aubrey Schierbeek who lobbed a cross to the back post that found Broekhuizen, and the freshman headed it past the TU goalkeeper to break the scoreless deadlock.
Spring Arbor would do an excellent job of maintaining possession over the final 20 minutes, to not allow the Trojans any hope of a comeback.
The Cougars outshot Taylor 13-3 on the afternoon, with a 10-2 advantage over the final 45 minutes. Goalkeeper Sarah Yancer stopped the only shot she faced to post her seventh shutout of the season.
Spring Arbor (17-1-1, 9-0 Crossroads League) will look for its fifth straight tournament title when they take on No. 17 Grace (13-3-3) on Saturday, Nov. 15.
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