SPRING ARBOR, Mich. – The Spring Arbor University men's soccer team continued its perfect start to the season Saturday afternoon, defeating Eastern Oregon University 3-1 in a matchup of teams receiving votes in the NAIA Top 25 Poll at the Cougar Soccer Complex.
Spring Arbor improved to 5-0-0 on the season, while Eastern Oregon moved to 0-1-1.
The Cougars wasted little time getting on the scoreboard. Just 57 seconds into the match,
Caleb Swartzendruber set up
Micah Vasey for the opening goal, giving SAU an early 1-0 advantage.
Spring Arbor carried that lead throughout nearly the entire opening half, but Eastern Oregon found an equalizer in the final seconds. Henry Lopez scored off an assist from JJ Gallardo with four seconds remaining before halftime to send the teams into the break tied 1-1.
The Cougars regained control with a quick scoring burst early in the second half.
Vasey struck again in the 57th minute, finishing off an assist from
Pedro Rosa to put SAU back in front. Less than three minutes later, Vasey turned facilitator, setting up
Ian Lama for a goal in the 60th minute that extended the Spring Arbor advantage to 3-1.
SAU protected the two-goal advantage the rest of the way to secure its fifth consecutive victory to open the season.
Vasey finished the afternoon with two goals and an assist, while Lama recorded his third goal of the season. Swartzendruber and Rosa each added an assist.
Spring Arbor held a 14-11 advantage in shots and put eight attempts on goal compared to three for Eastern Oregon. The Cougars also held a 4-3 edge in corner kicks.
Soren Goubely Dondaine played all 90 minutes in goal and made two saves.
Spring Arbor (5-0-0) returns to the road Wednesday, Sept. 9 when it visits the University of Northwestern Ohio. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m.
