SPRING ARBOR, Mich. – A pair of goals by sophomore Hunter Gibbons lifted the No. 22 ranked Spring Arbor University men's soccer team to a 3-2 victory over Mount Vernon Nazarene University on Wednesday night at the Cougar Soccer Complex.

THE BASICS

FINAL SCORE: #22 Spring Arbor 3, Mount Vernon Nazarene 2

LOCATION: Cougar Soccer Complex | Spring Arbor, Mich.

RECORDS: Spring Arbor 12-3-0 (5-1-0 CL), Mount Vernon Nazarene 7-8-0 (2-4-0 CL)

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Janum Sailor got the scoring started in the 24th minute. A cross from Jacob Crull connected with Sailor inside the 18-yard box, and Sailor turned and fired a shot past the MVNU goalkeeper to the far post.
• Spring Arbor doubled its lead before halftime when Hunter Gibbons tallied his first career goal in the 38th minute. The corner kick from Michael Procopio found the head of Alex Sokalski at the back post, and Gibbons finished with a header of his own to put SAU on top 2-0.
• Mount Vernon Nazarene clawed its way back into the match with a goal early in the second half, but, just moments later, Spring Arbor responded. Off a free kick, Crull served a long ball into the box and Gibbons was there again to extend the lead to 3-1.
• The visitors added another goal in 61st minute on a penalty kick.
• Spring Arbor outshot MVNU 22-13 and earned nine corner kicks.
• Goalkeeper Isiah Handspike finished the night with five saves.

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE

• The win was the first against Mount Vernon Nazarene since the 2013 season.
• Spring Arbor improved to 8-0-0 at home this year and extended its home unbeaten streak to 30 matches dating back to the 2014 season.

QUOTES FROM HEAD COACH NATHAN MILLER

• "I was so happy with our first half performance. We used the ball really well and opened them up constantly. Two fantastic goals as well."
• "A lot to reflect on tonight as we were sure to guard against complacency at halftime and then, on cue, we drifted from our style and identity and made some dumb decisions that gave them life."
• "The result is good but I know our team despises conceding goals, so we can watch film and get better tomorrow."
• "Big time match up Saturday - can't wait"

UP NEXT

Spring Arbor visits Grace College (7-3-4, 4-1-1 CL) in a crucial Crossroads League matchup on Saturday, Oct. 21 at 7 p.m. The winner will have the inside track for the top seed in the upcoming conference tournament.

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