SPRING ARBOR, Mich. – In a battle of two nationally ranked teams, it was No. 3 Lindsey Wilson College who came out on top against the 14th ranked Spring Arbor University women's soccer team 1-0 on Saturday night.
The Blue Raiders (2-0) got a goal from Gwendoline Fai in the 49th minute, which turned out to be enough to hand the Cougars their first loss of the season.
Neither team had much going early in the first half as both teams were feeling each other out. The action picked up though just over 10 minutes in when the Blue Raiders got an opportunity right in front of the goal, but the shot was blocked by an SAU defender. Moments later, Lindsey Wilson had another opportunity off a corner kick but the header sailed high.
Sophomore Corrie Good gave the Cougars their first opportunity in the 17th minute with a blast but her shot went wide of the goal.
Lindsey Wilson would create a couple more dangerous chances before the end of the first period, but junior goalkeeper Sarah Yancer and the SAU defense were up to the challenge and kept the visitors off the scoreboard.
The Blue Raiders continued to apply pressure early in the second half, and were finally able to break through four minutes into the period. LWC played a cross into the box where Lyana Perez flicked it over a Cougar defender to an open Fai who slipped a shot past Yancer.
Spring Arbor thought they had the equalizer in the 58th minute when a strike from the left wing by freshman Jacquelyn Martin got past the outstretched arms of the LWC keeper, however, the shot went just over the crossbar.
The Cougars began to gain some momentum, but the weather was not on their side as lightning in the area forced a 30-minute delay and heavy rains soaked the field.
After play resumed, the Blue Raiders had a chance to extend their lead with less than 15 minutes remaining, but senior Kailyn Wegenke was in the right spot to save a shot from going in after a scramble in front of the net, and kept SAU's hopes alive.
The Cougars picked up the pressure over the final minutes of the match, but were unable to find the tying goal.
Lindsey Wilson outshot the SAU 12-7 on the night and held a 6-2 edge in corner kicks.
The Cougars (2-1) are back in action on Wednesday, Sept. 3 when they host Concordia University at 5 p.m.
- Cougar Nation -
