SPRING ARBOR, Mich. – The Spring Arbor University women's soccer team's run in the Crossroads League Tournament came to an end on Wednesday night, falling to Grace College 2-1 in the semifinal round.
The loss snapped Spring Arbor's nine-match winning streak and brought a close to the fall season. The Cougars will resume play this spring as they push for an at-large bid into this year's national tournament, which will begin in April.
THE BASICS
SCORE: (24) Spring Arbor 1, (14) Grace 2
LOCATION: Cougar Soccer Complex | Spring Arbor, Mich.
RECORDS: Spring Arbor 9-2-1, Grace 8-2-1
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
- Grace scored two goals less than 10 minutes into the match.
- After battling the entire night, Spring Arbor finally found the back of the net in the 89th minute. A corner kick from Lexi Ponstein found Mackenzie Selvius in the box, and she finished to keep the Cougars hopes alive.
- In the final seconds, SAU nearly found an equalizer, but Grace's goalkeeper made a terrific save on a shot by Madison Marshall.
- Spring Arbor finished the game outshooting Grace 12-4, and held the Lancers to zero shots in the second half. The Cougars also held a 5-0 advantage in corner kicks.
QUOTES FROM HEAD COACH JASON CRIST
- "Soccer is a frustrating game sometimes. We made two mistakes early and really controlled the rest of the match. The ladies created plenty of good opportunities to score but didn't finish at our normal standard. That's the game sometimes, and you have to take the good with the bad.
- "I could not be more proud of our players for the resolve they have shown playing hurt and shorthanded so often this fall. This season has taken its toll on us and there were very few healthy bodies out there tonight."
- "We have proved that we are one of the top teams in the NAIA this year. There are huge things ahead for this group in the spring, and I am excited for us to get a break, get healthy and get back to it."
