SPRING ARBOR, Mich. – The top-seeded, and No. 10 ranked, Spring Arbor University men's soccer team defeated fourth-seeded Taylor University 4-1 in a Crossroads League Tournament Semifinal match on Saturday at the Cougar Soccer Complex.

With the victory, SAU advances to the tournament finals for the third straight season. The Cougars will meet sixth-seeded Huntington University for the title next Saturday (Nov. 10).

THE BASICS

FINAL SCORE: No. 10 Spring Arbor 4, Taylor 1

LOCATION: Cougar Soccer Complex | Spring Arbor, Mich.

RECORDS: Spring Arbor 16-3-1, Taylor 6-8-4

HOW IT HAPPENED

• After being held scoreless over 110 minutes in its matchup with Marian University, Spring Arbor jumped on top early against Taylor. In the 13th minute, Roderic Green drew a foul just outside the 18-yard box, and on the ensuing free kick, Jacob Crull's blast was redirected past the outstretched arms of the TU goalkeeper.
• Senior Morris Kamara delivered a crushing blow to the Trojans just before halftime. In the closing seconds, Cole Russell played a long ball over the top of the TU defense and Kamara slipped a shot past the keeper with only six ticks left on the clock.
• Spring Arbor would add two more goals in the second half. Kamara notched his second of the afternoon in the 62nd minute while Hunter Gibbons capped the scoring with a header off a corner kick from Michael Procopio in the 81st minute.
• The Cougars outshot the Trojans 15-8 and held a 5-1 advantage in corner kicks.

QUOTES FROM HEAD COACH NATHAN MILLER

• "We played a really good game today against a very hard working opponent. We knew we would have to break down another low compact block and the guys were fantastic. We played with great tempo and it was attack, attack, attack. That's how we like it."
• "The key moment was the goal with six seconds before halftime. Picture perfect counterattack with Cole playing a key role and Morris burying the chance with class."
• "The guys handled physical play really well and settled in the second half and saw off the game with class. The guys are so motivated to do the double now...this is a special, special group"

UP NEXT

Top-seeded Spring Arbor will host sixth-seeded Huntington (10-7-3) in the Crossroads League Championship on Saturday, Nov. 10. The winner will receive the league's automatic bid to the 2018 NAIA Men's Soccer National Championship.

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