SPRING ARBOR, Mich. – The Spring Arbor University men's soccer team used second half goals from senior Jared Putt and junior Michael Caccavo to defeat the University of Saint Francis (Ind.) 3-1 in the regular season finale on Saturday night.
The win improved the Cougars to 10-6-2 overall and 5-3-1 in the Crossroads League, securing them the No. 3 seed in the upcoming Crossroads League Tournament. Saint Francis dropped to 0-16-1 with the loss and 0-8-1 in conference play.
Prior to the match, Spring Arbor honored its nine seniors – Cody Getsinger, Mazen Taymour Ghazy, Anthony Juncaj, Timothy Johnson, Steven Murphy, Jared Putt, Travis Schupra, Stevenson Storm and Christian Strangis – for their contributions to the program. Over the last four years, this group of players helped the Cougars compile a 54-24-10 record – one of the best four-year spans in program history.
"Our nine seniors make up a very special class who are collectively one of the most decorated in SAU history," said head coach Nathan Miller. "They will leave this program much better than they found it. They were responsible for so much positive transformation and will leave a very special legacy."
The match went back and forth to start with the visiting Cougars taking advantage of a slow start by SAU. Less than 20 minutes in, Saint Francis nearly got on the scoreboard, but Alex da Silva's shot from almost 30 yards out rattled off the crossbar.
Spring Arbor's luck early on would not be much better as a shot from sophomore Jake Sterling in the 30th minute also drew iron. After drawing a foul just outside the box, Sterling tried to catch the USF defense napping when he quickly took a shot on frame, but his attempt would ricochet off the crossbar as well.
However, the Cougars would catch a break just moments later. Freshman Janum Sailor fired that was saved, but the USF goalkeeper was unable to handle it cleanly and the rebound found the feet of Morris Kamara who punched in the loose ball to put SAU on top.
The lead was short-lived, though, as Saint Francis scored in the 41st minute to level the match heading into halftime.
After struggling to find its rhythm in the first half, Spring Arbor got things rolling in the second. Just over two minutes into the period Putt would give the Cougars a lead that they would surrender. Getsinger set up the score with a long throw-in to the near post that found the head of Caccavo. His header would go to the back post where Putt was waiting to hammer it home.
The Cougars increased the margin to two in similar fashion in the 60th minute. Once again, Getsinger got things going with another long throw-in that connected with Kamara. He would find Caccavo whose shot just crossed the goal line to give SAU the 3-1 victory.
"We weren't at our best today, especially the first half, we were just sloppy in a few areas," added Miller. "But, we are happy with the second half and how we pressed for sure."
Spring Arbor will host Marian University (7-9-2, 4-4-1 CL) in the Crossroads League Tournament Quarterfinals on Saturday, Oct. 31.
Men's Soccer Contact: Chris Bauman | 517-750-6504 | christopher.bauman@arbor.edu
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