Bridgeview, Ill. – For the second straight match, junior Stevenson Storm provided the game-winning goal as the Spring Arbor University men's soccer team overcame an early deficit to defeat Roosevelt University 2-1 at Toyota Park on Saturday evening.
The win moves SAU to 2-0 on the young season while Roosevelt fell to 0-1.
The Cougars were working hard early and generated a few scoring chances, including in the 35th minute when senior Riley Luttenton served a free kick to sophomore Michael Caccavo, whose header ricocheted off the crossbar.
The Lakers created their own chance moments later, and capitalized off a corner kick to take a 1-0 lead at the 35:15 mark that they would take into halftime.
Roosevelt continued to apply pressure in the initial stages of the second half, but senior goalkeeper Billy Irvine and the Cougar defense were up to the task, keeping SAU in the game.
In the 68th minute, Spring Arbor's hard work paid off when senior Sean Cook scored to knot the game at 1-1. Luttenton played a perfect ball over top of the back line before Cook chipped a shot above the Laker keeper.
The play from both sides intensified over the final 18 minutes as seven cards were handed out between the teams, including a red card on Roosevelt.
In the 74th minute and the teams still deadlocked, the Cougars were fouled inside the box and awarded a penalty kick. Storm, coming off a two goal performance in the season opener, was called upon to take the shot and calmly planted it in the back of the net to give SAU its first lead.
The Lakers made a final push looking for the equalizer, but the Cougars, getting a key save from Irvine in the final minute, held on to secure the victory.
Sophomore Cobi Piper and Irvine combined to make 10 saves on the night.
Roosevelt dominated the match statistically, out-shooting the Cougars 28-9 while owning a 12-0 advantage in corner kicks.
"I believe and hope this is as poor as we will play this season," said head coach Nathan Miller. "We got completely out-played today. But how this team turned around after halftime and fought back relentlessly says a lot about the unity and character of this team."
"We will get back to work, and back to getting healthy, and learn immensely from this weekend."
The Cougars will visit Olivet College on Saturday, Aug. 30 before returning home to host the Cougar Showcase on Sept. 5-6.
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