SPRING ARBOR, Mich. – The Spring Arbor University men's soccer team played its way to a scoreless draw against non-conference foe Madonna University on Tuesday night in its final tune-up before jumping into Crossroads League play.
The Cougars moved to 5-3-1 overall while the Crusaders remained unbeaten going to 5-0-2.
"We really played well tonight against a tough, well organized and well coached team," said head coach Nathan Miller following the match. "Madonna defended really well, and you have to give a lot of credit to their goalkeeper, he is a top player."
Spring Arbor registered a season-high 18 shots on the night – putting six on target – but MU goalkeeper Marcel Schmid, who was recently honored as the NAIA Defensive Player of the Week, was up to the task recording his fourth clean sheet of 2015.
The Cougars looked to have netted the game's first goal in the 60th minute when a header by junior Michael Caccavo snuck past the MU netminder but SAU was whistled offside on the play negating the goal.
After 90 minutes was not enough to decide a winner, the two sides headed to overtime. In the first extra period, sophomore Jake Sterling delivered a perfect corner kick to the back post looking for Caccavo, but MU's Schmid made another outstanding play snagging the ball out of the air before it could find its mark.
The Cougars had one final chance in the closing seconds when senior Stevenson Storm got in behind the Crusaders. However, a MU defender made a great play to run Storm down and deflect the shot away from the goal as time expired.
"The final third and our final product is something we have been working a lot on," noted Miller. "We were in great positions tonight after controlling the match exactly how we wanted to. We just need to be better in the box, we know that. The guys will rally around that area of improvement for sure."
Spring Arbor (5-3-1), who vaulted into the NAIA Men's Soccer Coaches Top 25 Poll at No. 23 on Tuesday afternoon, will kick off its Crossroads League slate at home against Huntington University (4-3-1) on Saturday, Sept. 26 at 7 p.m.
"We played a really tough schedule in our non-league play, had some good results and we are delighted to get that first ranking in program history," added Miller. "It certainly does mean something to us and we want to earn a lot more than that. We look forward to Huntington."
Men's Soccer Contact: Chris Bauman | 517-750-6504 | christopher.bauman@arbor.edu
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