SPRING ARBOR, Mich. – The No. 10 ranked Spring Arbor University women's soccer team scored three second half goals to defeat visiting Goshen College 4-1 on Tuesday night.
The win was not only the fourth in a row for the Cougars, who improved to 8-2-1 overall and 2-0 in the Crossroads League, but also the 20th consecutive conference victory dating back to the 2013 season. Meanwhile, Goshen dipped to 4-7 on the season and 0-2 in league play.
Freshman Bethany Balcer, the reigning Crossroads League Offensive Player of the Week, scored two goals to lead the Cougars. Freshman Annika Hoekstra tallied her first career goal while senior Olivia Clark also found the back of the net.
Spring Arbor peppered the Goshen defense with shots all night, outshooting the Maple Leafs 43-2 while also holding a 10-1 advantage in corner kicks. In an attempt to slow down the high-powered Cougar attack, the Maple Leafs packed in their defense and crowded the goalmouth.
The strategy was effective for a stretch holding SAU scoreless for most of the first half, but the Cougars broke through in the 36th minute with a strike from Balcer, who beat her defender and ripped a shot past the GC goalkeeper.
Spring Arbor continued to apply the pressure in the second half and was able to double its lead in the 49th minute when Hoekstra punched in a corner kick from sophomore Sarah Klunder.
The Maple Leafs would narrow the deficit to one after scoring on a corner kick of their own in the 62nd minute, but the Cougars countered moments later with a goal from Clark.
Spring Arbor capped in the scoring with a goal in the 80th minute when senior Shannon Balcer played a through ball to sister Bethany, and she would uncork a shot that beat the keeper to the far post for her 13th goal of the season.
Up next, the Cougars will travel to Mount Vernon, Ohio for a Top 25 showdown against No. 20 Mount Vernon Nazarene University on Saturday, Oct. 3 at 2 p.m.
Women's Soccer Contact: Chris Bauman | 517-750-6504 | christopher.bauman@arbor.edu
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