MARION, Ind. – Sophomore Alex Sokalski scored in the final minute to give No. 19 Spring Arbor University a 2-1 come-from-behind victory over Crossroads League rival Indiana Wesleyan University on Wednesday night.

After surrendering an early goal, the Cougars fought all the way back, scoring twice in the final eight minutes, including Sokalski's game-winner with 42 seconds left, to earn their sixth consecutive victory.

THE BASICS

FINAL SCORE: #19 Spring Arbor 2, Indiana Wesleyan 1

LOCATION: Wildcat Field | Marion, Ind.

RECORDS: Spring Arbor 9-2-0 (2-0-0 CL), Indiana Wesleyan 3-5-2 (0-1-1 CL)

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Indiana Wesleyan jumped on top with a goal from Glauber Oliveira in the 20th minute.
• Playing from behind for the first time since Sept. 1, Spring Arbor showed their toughness and grit to rally back on the road.
• The Cougars found the equalizer in the 83rd minute when Josh Fines finished a cross from Hunter Gibbons.
• With less than a minute to go, following a foul on IWU, Jacob Crull served the free kick into the box and Sokalski was there to redirect it past the Wildcat goalkeeper.
• Indiana Wesleyan finished with 13 shots while SAU was held to nine.
• Goalkeeper Isiah Handspike recorded two saves in the match.

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE

• The win was the second straight for Spring Arbor over Indiana Wesleyan dating back to last year's 5-0 victory in the Crossroads League Tournament Semifinals. This is the first time the Cougars have defeated IWU in consecutive meetings since the 2012 season.
• Spring Arbor's current six-match winning streak is the longest streak since the program opened the 2014 season with six consecutive wins.
• Spring Arbor leads the Crossroads League with 29 goals scored this season, averaging 2.9 per match.

QUOTES FROM HEAD COACH NATHAN MILLER

• "Obviously we are thrilled with the result and how we grinded the last 10 minutes out. We finished really strong and it was such a gutsy ending."
• "We were just terrible today, and credit goes to IWU for stifling us. They beat us up, played with great energy, and took many of our guys off their game."
• "So certainly when you play poorly away to your rival and win, there is a lot to be said for the character of our players. Really proud of the fight and grit."
• "It also served as a wakeup call. We need to be so much sharper away from home against good sides like IWU."

UP NEXT

Spring Arbor returns home to host the University of Saint Francis (3-8-0, 0-2-0 CL) on Saturday, Oct. 7 at 7 p.m.

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