SPRING ARBOR, Mich. – The No. 10 ranked Spring Arbor University men's soccer team advanced in the Crossroads League Tournament on penalty kicks (3-2) over Marian University on Wednesday night. Jacob Crull buried the go-ahead penalty kick and Michael White stopped the Knights' final attempt to send the Cougars through to the semifinals for the eighth consecutive season. 

Spring Arbor, the tournament's No. 1-seed, will host fourth-seeded Taylor University on Saturday, Nov. 3 at 4 p.m.

THE BASICS

FINAL SCORE: No. 10 Spring Arbor 0, Marian 0 (SAU advances on PK's 3-2)

LOCATION: Cougar Soccer Complex | Spring Arbor, Mich.

RECORDS: Spring Arbor 15-3-1, Marian 7-8-2

HOW IT HAPPENED

• After suffering a 5-0 loss to Spring Arbor just 11 days earlier, Marian entered the match determined to slow down the league's top scoring team.
• Spring Arbor held a 7-2 shot advantage in the first half, and outshot the Knights 5-1 in the second half, but MU goalkeeper Sidney Miranda made four saves to preserve the clean sheet.
• Following a scoreless 90 minutes, the two teams went into overtime – just the second time this season for the Cougars.
• Neither side was able to find the back of the net in the two 10-minute overtime sessions, forcing the teams to penalty kicks.
• Alex Sokalski and Morris Kamara calmly converted SAU's first two attempts while the first two Marian shots were no good, both bouncing off the crossbar.
• The Knights responded though making their next two shots while Miranda saved two straight attempts to even things up.
• Crull confidently buried his shot, putting Spring Arbor back in front, and White stoned Marian's next shot to keep the Cougars' season alive.

QUOTES FROM HEAD COACH NATHAN MILLER

• "First of all, I think a lot of credit goes to Marian for how they played and performed. They played an outstanding game and pushed us for 110-plus minutes. They were well organized, determined, and very well coached."
• "We were below our best, and I give the guys credit, they tried to solve the issues on the field but for some reason it wasn't coming off for us. A lot work in the film room to be sure! But when really squeezed, I'm proud of how they responded. It takes a tough mentality and composure to win in pens. Michael was a really important figure for us tonight as well."
• "There are many areas of improvement to be sure, but outside of tonight we have been really performing at the highest level. I'm positive the team will be ready to be at our best on Saturday vs. Taylor."

UP NEXT

Spring Arbor will host Taylor (6-7-4) in the Crossroads League Tournament Semifinals on Saturday, Nov. 3 starting at 4 p.m. The winner will advance to the tournament championship match on Saturday, Nov. 10.

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