MISHAWAKA, Ind. – The Spring Arbor University men's soccer team netted a pair of late goals, including one by senior Timothy Johnson in the final minute, to erase a one score deficit and stun Bethel College 3-2 on Saturday night.
"If it's possible for a team culture to win you a game, then that's what happened tonight," said head coach Nathan Miller. "We showed a lot of team spirit coming back against Bethel, who is very, very good. They simply never lose at home. But the guys played with courage and pure belief. We played beautiful soccer, but we are more impressed with how they fought back and stayed together in tough moments."
The win was the first for the Cougars in their last three matches, improving the team's record to 7-5-2 on the season and 2-2-1 in the Crossroads League. For the Pilots, it was their first home loss of the campaign as they dropped to 7-5-1 overall with a 2-2-1 mark in league play.
Spring Arbor opened the scoring early as sophomore Jake Sterling's corner kick found the head of freshman Janum Sailor in the sixth minute. Bethel would answer just moments later, however, scoring on an indirect free kick after goalkeeper Cobi Piper illegally picked up the ball.
The two sides would remain deadlocked at 1-1 until the 51st minute when BC's Pedro Amaral, one of the league's leading scorers, notched his ninth goal of the season off a corner kick.
With the clock winding down and still trailing 2-1, the Cougars were facing their second straight setback when they found the equalizer. After a shot from Sailor was redirected, the ball found the feet of Michael Caccavo and the junior pounded it into the back of the net to level the score at 2-2 with just over 10 minutes to play.
Then, the Cougars completed the comeback when Johnson tucked away the game-winner off a cross from Sterling with only 45 seconds left on the clock.
Piper finished the match with 10 saves. Bethel compiled 21 shots compared to 16 from SAU while the Cougars held an 8-4 advantage in corner kicks.
Spring Arbor will return home to host Marian University (7-6-1, 4-1-0 CL), who currently sits atop the Crossroads League standings, on Wednesday, Oct. 14 at 7 p.m.
Men's Soccer Contact: Chris Bauman | 517-750-6504 | christopher.bauman@arbor.edu
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