MARION, Ind. – No. 20 Spring Arbor University suffered its first loss of the season Wednesday evening, falling 5-1 on the road to No. 15 Indiana Wesleyan University in the Crossroads League opener for both teams.
The loss moved Spring Arbor to 8-1-1 overall and 0-1 in league play, while Indiana Wesleyan improved to 7-1-2 overall and 1-0 in the Crossroads League.
Indiana Wesleyan struck first in the sixth minute when Mariano Chaves found the back of the net off an assist from Camilo Pereda. The Wildcats doubled their advantage in the 20th minute on an unassisted goal from Jose Garcia.
Spring Arbor answered in the 32nd minute.
Micah Vasey put an initial shot on frame that was stopped by IWU goalkeeper Kadin Wolfe, but
Ian Lama followed with the rebound and put it away to cut the deficit to 2-1. The goal was Lama's fifth of the season.
The Cougars generated two more opportunities before halftime, with Vasey and
Tiago Morais each forcing saves from Wolfe, but Indiana Wesleyan carried the 2-1 advantage into the break.
Spring Arbor nearly found the equalizer in the 56th minute when
Pedro Rosa put an attempt on target, but IWU defender Sam Goodin made a defensive save to preserve the Wildcats' lead.
Indiana Wesleyan then pulled away with three goals in a span of less than seven minutes. Yarek Carnegie scored in the 65th and 69th minutes before Dennis Otieno added another in the 71st to push the Wildcats' advantage to 5-1.
Soren Goubely Dondaine made seven saves in just over 70 minutes in goal for SAU, while
Tommy Farrell stopped all three shots he faced over the final 19 minutes.
Spring Arbor returns home Saturday, Sept. 26 to host the University of Saint Francis. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. at the Cougar Soccer Complex.
