SPRING ARBOR, Mich. – The No. 8-ranked Spring Arbor University women's soccer team defeated Cardinal Stritch University 6-2 on Tuesday night, erupting for five second half goals to hand the previously unbeaten Wolves their first loss of the season.
Freshman Bethany Balcer led the way with her first career hat trick, recording all three tallies over the final 45 minutes. Sophomore Aubrey Schierbeek notched a pair of goals while junior Alyssa Joseph added one.
The match began with Spring Arbor controlling possession, outshooting Cardinal Stritch (5-1-0) 11-2 through the first 30 minutes, but the Cougars were unable to convert on any of their opportunities. However, SAU was finally able to breakthrough in the 33rd minute with a goal from sophomore Aubrey Schierbeek.
Despite owning the first half, the two teams would go into halftime knotted at 1-1 after the Wolves struck with less than a minute remaining on the clock.
The Cougars came charging out of the break though, scoring three goals in just over 10 minutes to build an insurmountable lead.
In the 62nd minute, Balcer found the back of the net for the second time when she lofted a shot from 30 yards out over the visiting goalkeeper, who had come out of the goal to challenge another shot attempt. Balcer completed the hat trick with a header off a corner kick from sophomore Sarah Klunder in the 83rd minute.
Klunder was credited with a pair of assists on the night while junior Corrie Good and senior Kristina Sobel each recorded one. Senior netminder Sarah Yancer finished the match with three saves.
Spring Arbor posted 28 shots compared to eight by Cardinal Stritch. The Cougars also held an 11-2 advantage in corner kicks.
Up next, Spring Arbor (5-2-1) will host Point Park University on Monday, Sept. 21 before opening Crossroads League play at Huntington University on Saturday, Sept. 26.
Women's Soccer Contact: Chris Bauman | 517-750-6504 | christopher.bauman@arbor.edu
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