SPRING ARBOR, Mich. – Freshman Bethany Balcer scored a pair of goals to lead the eighth-ranked Spring Arbor University women's soccer team to a convincing 4-1 victory over No. 18 Siena Heights University in the Cougars' home opener on Tuesday night.
The win improved SAU to 1-1 on the season after suffering a narrow 2-1 overtime loss to No. 6 Benedictine College in its season opener. Meanwhile, Siena Heights dropped to 0-1.
"I thought we played very well offensively," said head coach Jason Crist. "We were dominant in possession and dynamic with our movement off the ball and our combination play. Corrie Good and Alyssa Joseph were especially good on the wings for us, and Kristina Sobel and Shannon Balcer were excellent in midfield roles."
The Cougars controlled the match from the opening whistle, and Balcer's goal in the ninth minute helped put SAU in the driver's seat. Sophomore Aubrey Schierbeek set up the goal with a shot from the top of 18-yard box that rang off the crossbar, and Balcer was there to clean up the rebound with a header into the empty net.
Spring Arbor continued to apply pressure through the rest of the first half, outshooting SHU 13-2, but was unable to add to its advantage, taking a 1-0 lead into halftime.
In the second half, though, the Cougars were able to convert on their opportunities, erupting for three goals to put the match out of reach. Balcer struck for the second time of night in the 52nd minute when she beat her defender and ripped a shot from just outside the 18 into the upper corner. In the 67th minute, Schierbeek would notch her first goal of the season. After Good beat a defender and the SHU goalkeeper, she found Schierbeek in front of the net and the Hudsonville, Michigan native tapped the ball into the open goal. Moments later, senior Olivia Clark found the back of the net off a corner kick from sophomore Sarah Klunder to give the Cougars a 4-0 lead.
Spring Arbor racked up 30 shots compared to Siena Heights' eight, and held a 5-2 edge in corner kicks. Senior goalkeeper Sarah Yancer registered five saves on the night.
"This was a good result against a young, but talented and ranked Siena Heights team," added Crist. "We have plenty of room for improvement and are capable of playing a more complete game, back to front. We need to focus on recovery, as we have another very good opponent on Thursday."
It will be the third straight ranked opponent for Spring Arbor, who will host No. 11 The Master's College on Thursday, Aug. 27 at 7 p.m.
Women's Soccer Contact: Chris Bauman | 517-750-6504 | christopher.bauman@arbor.edu
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