Men's Soccer 11/7/2015 12:00:00 AM

Heartbreaker in PK shootout ends postseason run for Men's Soccer

WINONA LAKE, Ind. – Ninety minutes of regulation and two overtime periods were not enough to decide a winner between the Spring Arbor University men's soccer team and Grace College in the Crossroads League Tournament Semifinals on Saturday. The match was ultimately decided in a penalty kick shootout where the Lancers would prevail 5-4 and advance to the championship match.

"This is a heartbreaking way to end our season," said head coach Nathan Miller. "Obviously this is so painful for the guys. We played a really good game and created all the chances we needed and controlled the match. Unfortunately, today, and this year, we struggled in front of the net."

The Cougars accumulated 10 shots on the night, putting four on frame, while the Lancers registered 13 total attempts with five shots on target. Junior goalkeeper Abe Bonn was great between the pipes making five saves, including a big stop just before the end of regulation to help send the game into overtime.

In the penalty shootout, the teams traded makes in the first two rounds. But, Cobi Piper, who was subbed into the match for the shootout, would come up with a huge save to open the third round and sophomore Cory Swartzendruber buried his attempt to give the Cougars a 3-2 edge.

The Cougars had a chance to punch their ticket to the tournament finals on their last kick, but GC netminder Robbie Barnhill would make a huge save to keep the Lancers alive.

In the next round of kicks, Piper would turn away another shot, however, the referee issued Grace another attempt after determining that Piper came off the goal line prior to the kick. The Lancers would capitalize on the second chance, sinking the shot to take the lead. The Cougars would miss on the ensuing shot.

"The shootout was hard to swallow given the events with the referee decision and missing the pen that would have sealed it," added Miller. "But we are all in this together and we all share in the highs and deep lows. This team is so unified."

"I am just so thankful to our seniors for changing everything. They left this program much better then they found it. I am proud of them and they have impacted the guys on this team in unspeakable ways. It just ended too early."

Spring Arbor finished the season with an overall record of 11-6-3 with a 5-3-1 mark in Crossroads League play.

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