SPRING ARBOR, Mich. – Freshman Bethany Balcer scored two second half goals Wednesday evening to lift the No. 7 ranked Spring Arbor University women's soccer team to a 2-0 victory over Indiana Wesleyan University on Senior Night.
The win not only sent SAU's five seniors out on a high note, but clinched the outright Crossroads League regular season championship for the Cougars for the fifth consecutive year.
"Indiana Wesleyan has a quality team and they work very hard," said head coach Jason Crist. "They made it hard for us to play in the first half, but I thought we were better in the second and found some space and success. The league as a whole continues to get better and we need to do the same to keep pace."
Spring Arbor controlled the match early, outshooting Indiana Wesleyan (7-8-1, 3-4-1 CL) 10-1 through the first 45 minutes. Despite the lopsided statistical advantage, both sides would head into halftime scoreless.
However, it would not take long for the Cougars to break the deadlock in the second stanza. In the 50th minute, Balcer snuck in behind the IWU defense and headed home a perfectly delivered cross from junior Corrie Good to put SAU on top.
Shortly after the goal, Indiana Wesleyan threatened on the other end drawing a foul just outside the box, but Nicole Biggs' free kick opportunity would be smothered by SAU goalkeeper Sarah Yancer to preserve the lead.
In the 72nd minute, a defensive miscue from the visitors would lead to the Cougars' second goal, putting the game out of reach for IWU. An attempted clear from the Wildcats instead found the feet of Balcer, and she would blast a shot from just outside the 18-yard box on the right wing into the far side netting past a diving keeper.
The Cougars finished the night with 20 shots compared to just four from the Wildcats. The home team also enjoyed a 3-2 advantage in corner kicks.
"Clinching the outright regular season championship on Senior Night was a great way for our seniors to finish their final regular season home schedule," added Crist. "I cannot speak highly enough about our five seniors, Shannon Balcer, Sarah Yancer, Kristina Sobel, Olivia Clark and Nikki Bonnema. They are pure class and represent us so well on the field, on campus and in the classroom."
Spring Arbor (14-2-1, 8-0-0 CL) will conclude its regular season schedule a trip to the University of Saint Francis (Ind.) (11-6-0, 5-3-0 CL) on Saturday, Oct. 24 before hosting the first round of the Crossroads League Tournament on Saturday, Oct. 31.
Women's Soccer Contact: Chris Bauman | 517-750-6504 | christopher.bauman@arbor.edu
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