Women's Soccer Drops Non-Conference Game at Spring Arbor

(Spring Arbor, MI)-- The Cleary Cougar women's soccer team was on the road for the second time this week, as they travelled to take on perennial power Spring Arbor.

The Cleary defense was under pressure from the opening kick of the game, as Bella Marsh faced 16 shots in the opening 45 minutes.  The hosts would earn the game's first goal on a corner kick in the 25th minute, when a Cleary player accidentally knocked the ball into their own goal while fighting for position for an own goal to give Spring Arbor the lead.  Marsh and the defense would stand tall for the rest of the half, and Cleary would trail 1-0 at the break.

In the second half, the Cleary defense was asked to handle the pressure once again, but a foul would be called in the penalty area in the 58th minute.  SAU's penalty taker would get the ball passed Bella Marsh to extend the deficit to 2-0.  Cleary's defense would prevent any more damage for the remainder of the game, but the attack would not be able to generate the chance necessary to get back into the game, and Cleary would suffer the 2-0 defeat.

Bella Marsh was fantastic in the game, making 12 saves on 14 shots faced, and is now 3-2 on the season.  

The loss drops the Cougars' record to 3-3 on the season.  Cleary will return to Lake Trust Stadium for the non-conference finale on Wednesday, September 17, when they host the Calumet College Crimson Wave as part of a double-header with the men's soccer team.  The women's soccer team will play under the lights at 7:00 PM.