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Cole Russell
1
Grace (Ind.) GRC (11-7-2)
2
Winner Spring Arbor (Mich.) SAU (9-3-2)
Grace (Ind.) GRC
(11-7-2)
1
Final
2
Spring Arbor (Mich.) SAU
(9-3-2)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 OT 1 OT 2 F
Grace (Ind.) GRC 1 0 0 0 1
Spring Arbor (Mich.) SAU 1 0 0 1 2

Game Recap: Men's Soccer |

Russell’s golden goal gives Men’s Soccer win over Grace

SPRING ARBOR, Mich. – In a rematch of the Crossroads League Tournament championship match, the No. 11 ranked Spring Arbor University men's soccer team took on Grace College at the Cougar Soccer Complex Friday night. And, the match ended the same way it did this fall with Cole Russell scoring the game-winner to give the Cougars a 2-1 overtime victory.

 
THE BASICS
SCORE: (11) Spring Arbor 2, (RV) Grace 1
LOCATION: Cougar Soccer Complex | Spring Arbor, Mich.
RECORDS: Spring Arbor 9-3-2, Grace 11-7-2
 

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
  • Zoltan Suranyi put Spring Arbor on top early scoring his fifth goal of the season in the 16th minute.
  • Grace was able to even the score before halftime behind a goal from Flavio Cruz.
  • The score remained at 1-1 until the 109th minute. A cross into the box from Matt Muzia found its mark, connecting with Russell for a spectacular diving header that beat the Lancer goalkeeper.
  • SAU netminder Christopher Banfi made six saves, including a key stop in the closing moments of regulation to send the game into overtime.
 

QUOTES FROM HEAD COACH JOSH OAKLEY
  • "A lot of people didn't make too much sense out of us playing a superb Grace team for a third time this season. That's ok because this team knows exactly why it did and that's what matters."
  • "Although we've been forced to lock inside for COVID on multiple occasions, we make it clear this program is not hiding from anyone up in Michigan. It's evident by a game with top-30 Western Michigan University that counts, a trip to a top-20 Hope College team, and now this game with a hungry, in form, NAIA national tournament team that had this game circled since November. We have one goal and this is the ultimate preparation. We bent a lot tonight, but didn't break and got great performances from players. The goals we scored were absolute class, and the persistence that this group shows makes me extremely proud to be their coach."
  • "We have work to do, especially on dead ball situations."
  • "We know we have to stay very even-minded in our approach to the future."
 

UP NEXT
Spring Arbor will travel to Marion, Indiana on Saturday, Mar. 27 to take on Indiana Wesleyan University starting at 12 p.m.

 
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