UPLAND, Ind. — The Spring Arbor University women's soccer team earned a 3-0 road victory over No. 10 Taylor University on Saturday afternoon behind
Claire VanZanten's second consecutive hat trick.
The No. 18 Cougars improved to 9-2-1 overall and 3-1 in the Crossroads League with their third straight win. Taylor, which entered the match unbeaten at home with a 7-0-1 record, fell to 7-2-3 overall and 1-1-2 in conference play.
Spring Arbor held a 10-2 advantage in shots during a scoreless first half before VanZanten broke through in the 53rd minute. Her unassisted goal gave the Cougars a lead they would hold for the remainder of the afternoon.
Taylor threatened to pull even when Leilani Bisera hit the post in the 66th minute, but SAU kept the Trojans off the scoreboard. VanZanten doubled the lead in the 73rd minute off an assist from
Gracie Beld before completing her hat trick in the 85th minute with an assist from
Isa Martinez.
VanZanten, who also scored three times in Wednesday's win over Huntington, now has a team-leading 11 goals this season and 24 for her career.
Kailey Walcott and
Mia Warner combined for six saves to secure Spring Arbor's ninth shutout of the season. Walcott made one save in the opening half, while Warner recorded five after halftime.
The Cougars finished with a 21-10 advantage in shots, including an 8-6 edge in shots on goal, and earned four corner kicks to Taylor's two. SAU has outscored its opponents 11-0 during its three-game winning streak.
Spring Arbor returns to action Saturday, Oct. 10, at Mount Vernon Nazarene University. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. in Mount Vernon, Ohio.
