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0
Marian (Ind.) MAR (12-8-1)
5
Winner Spring Arbor (Mich.) SAU (18-0-1)
Marian (Ind.) MAR
(12-8-1)
0
Final
5
Spring Arbor (Mich.) SAU
(18-0-1)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Marian (Ind.) MAR 0 0 0
Spring Arbor (Mich.) SAU 3 2 5

Game Recap: Women's Soccer |

Dominant performance gives Cougars seventh straight CL Tournament title

SPRING ARBOR, Mich. – The No. 1 ranked Spring Arbor University women's soccer team cruised past Marian University 5-0 on Saturday to claim the 2016 Crossroads League Tournament Championship and the league's automatic berth to the 33rd annual NAIA Women's Soccer National Championship.

 
 

THE BASICS

FINAL SCORE: #1 Spring Arbor 5, Marian 0

LOCATION: Cougar Soccer Complex | Spring Arbor, Mich.

RECORDS: Spring Arbor 18-0-1, Marian 12-8-1

 
 

HOW IT HAPPENED

  • Spring Arbor got the quick start it wanted when Renee Broekhuizen found the back of the net in the 14th minute. A Marian turnover deep in its own end proved costly as Aubrey Schierbeek slotted a pass through to Broekhuizen at the back post to give SAU an early lead.
  • The Cougars took complete control of the match less than two minutes later with a goal from Crossroads League Player of the Year Bethany Balcer. Another Knight giveaway led to the second tally as Lauren Orr intercepted a pass and sent a ball over the top of the MU defense to a wide-open Balcer, who chipped the goalkeeper to put the home team on top 2-0.
  • Just before halftime, Spring Arbor would strike again. Freshman Kaley Buck connected with fellow rookie Morgan Marshall to boost the Cougar lead to 3-0 at the break.
  • In the second half, Balcer and Broekhuizen would each record their second goals of the afternoon. Broekhuizen whipped a ball in from the corner that found the head of Balcer in the 70th minute. Less than a minute later, the Cougars were awarded a penalty kick and Broekhuizen calmly slotted a shot past the MU netminder.
  • Spring Arbor finished the match with a 26-7 shot advantage.
  • Goalkeepers Ashley Timmons and Allison Keizer combined to make three saves and record the shutout.

 
 

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE

  • Spring Arbor has won seven straight Crossroads League Tournament titles.
  • Today's match was a rematch of last year's tournament championship with the Cougars prevailing by an identical 5-0 score.
  • Balcer has totaled 24 goals this season, which not only leads the league, but ranks eighth nationally.
  • The Cougars registered their 15th shutout of the campaign, which is tied for the third most in the NAIA.

 
 

FOR THE KNIGHTS

  • Kellie Cavanaugh posted three of the Knights' seven shots while Courtney Denney recorded two.
  • Goalkeeper Melissa Sturgill finished the match with 10 saves.

 
 

UP NEXT

Spring Arbor will learn its opponent for the national tournament opening round matchup – set for Saturday, Nov. 19 – during a live selection show on Monday, Nov. 14. The winners of the opening round matches advance to the tournament's final site in Orange Beach, Alabama.

The NAIA's live selection show will be aired at 12 p.m. EST on the NAIA Network.

 
 
 
 

Women's Soccer Contact: Chris Bauman | 517-750-6504 | christopher.bauman@arbor.edu
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