SPRING ARBOR, Mich. – The Spring Arbor University men's soccer team took over sole possession of first place in the Crossroads League standings following its 2-0 shutout win over Bethel University on Saturday at the Cougar Soccer Complex. 

Senior Jacob Crull provided the game-winner and sophomore goalkeeper Christopher Banfi was sharp between the pipes making seven saves to register his eighth clean sheet.

THE BASICS

FINAL SCORE: No. 13 Spring Arbor 2, Bethel 0

LOCATION: Cougar Soccer Complex | Spring Arbor, Mich.

RECORDS: Spring Arbor 10-1-2 (5-0-1 CL), Bethel 6-7-1 (3-3-0 CL)

HOW IT HAPPENED

• It was a physical match that showcased a combined 47 fouls, including six yellow cards and a pair of reds – both issued to Bethel players.
• The game was scoreless through 53 minutes before Crull put Spring Arbor on top. Cole Russell fought his way through a pair of Pilot defenders to slip a pass through to a streaking Crull and the reigning Crossroads League Player of the Year did the rest, sprinting past the last defender and beating the goalkeeper to the near post.
• Bethel created a dangerous chance 10 minutes later, but a diving save by Banfi preserved the lead and the shutout.
• The Cougars put the game out of reach in the 75th minute. After being sidelined for most of the season due to an injury, Zoltan Suranyi made his long awaited return, subbing into the contest in the 75th minute and the junior transfer made an immediate impact. Less than a minute after getting into the action Suranyi served a ball into the box and was misplayed by a Pilot defender and ultimately found its way into the back of the net.
• Bethel finished the match with a 13-6 shot advantage, but the Pilots were unable to get anything past Banfi, who posted seven saves on the afternoon.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

• It was the fourth straight win for Spring Arbor over the Pilots dating back to 2016.
• Spring Arbor is now the only team in the Crossroads League unbeaten in league play.
• The shutout was the 10th of the season – the most in the NAIA.
• Crull's goal was his eighth of the season.

UP NEXT

Spring Arbor will host Grace College (7-4-3, 1-3-2 CL) on Wednesday, Oct. 16 at 7 p.m. in its final home match of the regular season. Prior to the match, the Cougars will honor their senior class with a Senior Day ceremony.

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