SPRING ARBOR, Mich. –
Claire VanZanten recorded a hat trick as No. 16 Spring Arbor University rolled to a 5-0 victory over Huntington University on Wednesday night.
The Cougars improved to 8-2-1 overall and 2-1 in Crossroads League play, while Huntington fell to 5-3-1 and 0-3. Spring Arbor's five goals marked a season-high, while the Cougars posted their sixth shutout of the year.
VanZanten put SAU in front in the 19th minute, finishing off an assist from
Karly Miller for her sixth goal of the season. Just 92 seconds later, VanZanten struck again, this time off a feed from
Gracie Beld, to quickly push the advantage to 2-0.
Spring Arbor carried the two-goal lead into halftime before VanZanten completed the hat trick in the 56th minute. Beld picked up her second assist of the night on the goal, which gave VanZanten a team-leading eight goals on the season.
The Cougars added two more goals late.
Ava Unger made it 4-0 in the 79th minute off an assist from
Cadence Williams, and less than two minutes later, Williams set up
Claire Davis for the final goal of the night.
Spring Arbor controlled the match with a 20-3 advantage in shots and an 11-1 edge in shots on goal. The Cougars also held a 4-0 advantage in corner kicks.
Kailey Walcott played the opening 45 minutes in goal before
Mia Warner took over for the second half and made one save to complete the shutout.
Spring Arbor returns to action Saturday, Oct. 3 with a road test at No. 20 Taylor University. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.
