Box Score SPRING ARBOR, Mich. – Freshman Baba Valdmanis' goal in the 22nd minute lifted the No. 21 ranked Spring Arbor University men's soccer team past Taylor University 3-1 in the Crossroads League Tournament Quarterfinals on Wednesday night.
The Cougars advance to Saturday's semifinal matchup where they will take on Huntington University, who defeated Bethel College 2-0. The match will start at 2 p.m. from the Cougar Soccer Complex.
THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: #21 Spring Arbor 3, Taylor 1
LOCATION: Cougar Soccer Complex | Spring Arbor, Mich.
RECORDS: Spring Arbor 16-3-0, Taylor 6-8-3
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Spring Arbor got off to a terrific start, scoring less than three minutes into the contest. A shot from 30 yards out by Jake Sterling fooled the Taylor goalkeeper and gave SAU an early 1-0 lead.
- The Trojans found the equalizer in the 17th minute with a goal by Zoltan Suranyi.
- Five minutes later, however, Valdmanis blasted a long range shot past the netminder, putting the Cougars on top for good.
- Morris Kamara added a late insurance goal in the 88th minute to clinch the victory.
- Spring Arbor outshot Taylor 20-9 on the night.
- Goalkeeper Isiah Handspike finished with four saves.
BEYOND THE BOXSCORE
- Spring Arbor defeated Taylor for the second time this season, and the fourth straight time overall.
- The Cougars advance to the conference tournament semifinals for the seventh consecutive season.
- Kamara scored his 16th goal of the season, which leads the Crossroads League and ranks 12th in the NAIA.
- Sterling's goal was his first of the season.
UP NEXT
Spring Arbor will host Huntington University (10-4-4) in the tournament semifinals on Saturday, Nov. 4 starting at 2 p.m. The winner will advance to the tournament championship match on Saturday, Nov. 11.
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