COLUMBIA, Ky. – Behind two goals from sophomore Bethany Balcer, the No. 1 ranked Spring Arbor University women's soccer team defeated No. 8 Martin Methodist 3-0 at the Lindsey Wilson Classic on Friday. The match was called with 9:08 remaining in the second half due to multiple lightning delays, but because the contest was past the 70 minute mark, it was official.

THE BASICS

FINAL SCORE: #1 Spring Arbor 3, #8 Martin Methodist 0

LOCATION: Walter S. Reuling Stadium | Columbia, Ky.

RECORDS: Spring Arbor 6-0-0, Martin Methodist 5-1-2

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Looking to avenge a loss to Martin Methodist the last time the two sides took the field, Spring Arbor applied intense pressure early. The Cougars recorded five shots in the first seven minutes, but MMC netminder Caitlin Dumond was up to the task, stopping everything sent her way.
• The Redhawks settled in, however, and took their turn testing the Cougar defense. From the 22nd minute to the 32nd minute, MMC fired four shots, including two on goal, but Ashley Timmons made a pair of saves to keep the game deadlocked.
• The match remained scoreless until the Cougars were finally able to break through in the 41st minute. Freshman Morgan Marshall tallied her third goal of the season with an assist from junior Aubrey Schierbeek.
• Spring Arbor added to its lead early in the second half with a goal from Balcer in the 52nd minute. Balcer would strike again in the 66th minute to put the game out of reach for the Redhawks.
• The first lightning delay came with 24 minutes remaining in the contest. Play was stopped due to lightning again with 9:08 to play, prompting the officials to abandon the game.
• Timmons made a career-high seven saves to record her fourth shutout of the campaign.
• The Cougars finished the match with 23 shots compared to the Redhawks' 14.

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE

• Spring Arbor pushed its winning streak to 25 straight matches. The last loss for the Cougars came on Sept. 12, 2015 against Martin Methodist.
• The loss was the first setback of the season for the Redhawks, who advanced to the national quarterfinals a season ago.
• The Cougars registered their fifth shutout of the season, which is tied for the most in the country this season.
• With her two goals tonight, Balcer has six goals in six games this season, which ranks second in the Crossroads League.
• In its last 13 matches against opponents ranked or receiving votes in the NAIA Top 25 Poll, Spring Arbor is a perfect 13-0.

FOR THE FOES

• Millene Cabral Vieira, who ranks second in the NAIA with 12 goals this season, recorded a team-high seven shots, including four on goal for Martin Methodist. Riko Sagara and Caroline Ladaga finished with three attempts each.
• Redhawk goalkeeper Caitlin Dumond made seven saves on the night, but allowed a season-high three goals.

QUOTES FROM HEAD COACH JASON CRIST

• "Martin Methodist is a very good team and they have one of the best attacking players we have seen this year. We did a nice job with our defensive shape not letting her get loose too often."
• "We had moments through the match where we were very good, but also had moments where we can see the areas that have need for growth."
• "Aubrey Schierbeek was exceptional tonight, and has been very consistent for us this year so far."
• "I think our attacking wore them down over time and it was a strong result against a very good team."

UP NEXT

Spring Arbor will wrap up play at the Lindsey Wilson Classic with a showdown against No. 20 Olivet Nazarene University (3-1-2) on Saturday. The match is slated for a 6 p.m. EST kickoff.

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