BOURBONNAIS, Ill. – The Spring Arbor University men's soccer team used a pair of timely goals from seniors Timothy Johnson and Jared Putt to earn a 2-1 win over No. 25 Olivet Nazarene University in overtime on Thursday night.
The win improved the Cougars to 2-1 on the year while Olivet Nazarene dropped to 0-1.
Looking to bounce back after a tough loss to Holy Cross College earlier in the week, Spring Arbor battled with one of the top teams in the nation. The Tigers had a couple scoring chances early in the first half, but some outstanding work in goal by junior netminder Cobi Piper, who finished the night with seven saves, kept the match scoreless. The home team was finally able to break the deadlock, though, in the 42nd minute with a goal from Christian Henock-Berhanu.
However, just before the intermission, the Cougars found the equalizer. With time running out, senior Stevenson Storm ripped a shot that was blocked by an ONU defender and went out of play. On the ensuing throw in, senior Cody Getsinger found Johnson, whose first career goal could not have come at a better time, with only one second left on the clock.
With the score still tied 1-1 in the second half, the Cougars caught a bad break in the 66th minute when senior Christian Stangis was shown his second yellow card of the night, forcing the team to play a man down the remainder of the match. The Tigers picked up the pressure, outshooting SAU 5-1 the rest of the period, but the Cougars held strong and kept the Tigers off the scoreboard to force overtime.
In the extra period, a header from Putt with 2:22 remaining snuck past the ONU goalkeeper sending the Cougars into a frenzy.
"We are just really proud of the guys tonight," said head coach Nathan Miller. "We had so much going against us, a poor previous performance a few days ago, key players injured, guys playing through sickness and then the red card, obviously."
Miller added, "The guys stepped up mentally. We were really proud of their excellent workrate, organization, especially late in the game, and grit to finish the game in the end."
Olivet Nazarene racked up 21 shots compared to Spring Arbor's 10, but the Cougars had a 6-5 advantage in corner kicks.
"We'll learn from an intense night like tonight and continue to improve," commented Miller.
Spring Arbor (2-1) will have a week off before returning to action Friday, Sept. 4 in Belleville, Illinois against No. 19 Lindenwood University-Belleville. The Cougars will then square off against Greenville College the following day in Greenville, Illinois.
Men's Soccer Contact: Chris Bauman | 517-750-6504 | christopher.bauman@arbor.edu
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