SPRING ARBOR, Mich. – Behind second half goals from Josh Fines and Cole Russell, the No. 6 ranked Spring Arbor University men's soccer team rallied from a 2-1 halftime deficit to earn a 3-2 victory over Mount Vernon Nazarene University in the Crossroads League Tournament Semifinals on Saturday evening at the Cougar Soccer Complex.

The win advances the top-seeded Cougars into the tournament championship match for the fourth straight season where they will meet No. 2-seed Huntington University on Saturday, Nov. 16.

THE BASICS

FINAL SCORE: No. 6 Spring Arbor 3, Mount Vernon Nazarene 2

LOCATION: Cougar Soccer Complex | Spring Arbor, Mich.

RECORDS: Spring Arbor 15-1-2, Mount Vernon Nazarene 11-5-3

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Mount Vernon Nazarene took the lead with a goal in the 22nd minute, but Spring Arbor answered two minutes later. A cross into the box from Zoltan Suranyi was deflected by an MVNU defender into the goal to even the score at 1-1.
• The visitors regained the lead in the 28th minute, scoring off of a free kick, and would take that 2-1 advantage into halftime.
• In the second half, Spring Arbor wasted little time to find the equalizer as Josh Fines banged home a loose ball in front of the net less than a minute into the period.
• The Cougars completed the comeback when Cole Russell put away in the game-winner in the 61st minute. Jacob Crull delivered a long ball to Russell, who got behind the defense. The MVNU goalkeeper came out of the box to play the ball, but was unable to clear it and Russell ripped a shot into the open net.
• Spring Arbor outshot MVNU 12-9.
• SAU goalkeeper Christopher Banfi made four saves on the night.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

• Spring Arbor is unbeaten against Mount Vernon Nazarene in the last four meetings, holding a 3-0-1 record over MVNU.
• The Cougars extended their winning streak to seven, and have not lost in 13 consecutive matches.
• Russell's goal was his 16th of the season while Crull was credited with his 13th assist.

UP NEXT

It will be a rematch of last year's tournament championship when the No. 1-seed Cougars host No. 2-seed Huntington (14-4-2) on Saturday, Nov. 16 at 7 p.m. in the Crossroads League Tournament Championship.

The winner will receive the league's automatic bid to the 2019 NAIA Men's Soccer National Championship.

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