SPRING ARBOR, Mich. – Freshman Bethany Balcer netted the game-winning goal in the 53rd minute to lead the No. 9 ranked Spring Arbor University women's soccer team to a 1-0 victory over No. 8 Grace College on Wednesday night in the NAIA Game of the Week.
"The ladies played very well tonight against a very good, and appropriately ranked, Grace squad," said SAU head coach Jason Crist following the match. "We built some fantastic chances in the match and I would have liked to see us finish a bit better, but Grace's goalkeeper played very well and kept them in the match."
The win was the sixth straight for Spring Arbor, and the fourth over a Top 25 ranked team this season. The Cougars improved to 10-2-1 overall and a perfect 4-0-0 in the Crossroads League while Grace suffered its first setback and dropped to 10-1-1 with a 2-1-1 mark in league play.
It did not take long for Spring Arbor to generate its first chance of the night as sophomore Aubrey Schierbeek fired a shot off the crossbar just over two minutes into the match. The Cougars continued to control the pace of play early leading to a couple great chances from Balcer, but GC netminder Abby Schue made a pair of terrific saves, including one in close, to keep SAU off the board.
Grace settled in, however, and was able to apply some pressure towards the end of the first half, but goalkeeper Sarah Yancer and the Cougar defense were up to the task as the two sides went into halftime scoreless.
After a back and forth first half that saw each team record four shots, Spring Arbor owned the second. The Cougars dominated possession and outshot the visitors 17-2 over the final 45 minutes, including a well-placed rip from Balcer that snuck past Schue into the lower corner of the net at the 52:41 mark.
Spring Arbor would make its one-goal advantage stand up for the remaining 37 minutes behind the outstanding play of its defense led by senior midfielders Shannon Balcer and Kristina Sobel.
"Our defense did a great job against quality forwards tonight," added Crist. "Our forwards also played well and made opportunities for each other. But, in my opinion, the midfield play of Shannon and Kristina was the biggest difference maker for us tonight. They rose up and outplayed one of the best midfields we have competed against this year. I am proud of their effort. They led like the senior captains that they are."
Balcer's goal was her 14th of the season. Yancer made one save on the night while Schue finished with 10.
Spring Arbor returns to action on Saturday, Oct. 10 when it hosts Bethel College (2-10-1, 0-4-0 CL) at 7 p.m.
Women's Soccer Contact: Chris Bauman | 517-750-6504 | christopher.bauman@arbor.edu
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