(Box Score) Goshen, IN — Facing a daunting Mid-Central Conference season opener Wednesday, the Goshen College women’s soccer team proved up to the task, dropping a narrow, 1-0 decision to 13th-ranked Spring Arbor University.
The Cougars — who moved up one spot in the NAIA’s latest Top 25 Poll thanks to an undefeated start to their season — entered the Goshen College Soccer Complex having scored 21 goals in just seven contests. Behind a steady and balanced attack, Goshen (1-5-1, 0-1) nearly held SAU scoreless, save for one breakdown at the game’s 65th-minute mark.
“I know I’ve said this after the past two matches now, but this has got to be the best game we’ve played yet,” said Thavisith Mounsithiraj, Goshen head coach. “Spring Arbor is one of the finest programs in the country, and they are very skillful and well-organized. However, our girls demonstrated tonight that we are very capable of playing at that level.”
Mounsithiraj’s squad showed no signs of fear from the outset of the match, as more changes to personnel and positions yielded solid results. Freshman Yani Hernandez moved into the center midfield from her usual forward slot, while junior Trish Hershberger rotated into both defense and forward duties.
With freshman star Chelsea Graber sidelined indefinitely with a high ankle sprain (click here for related article), Mounsithiraj again used deliberate substitution patterns to come away with a scoreless tie after the game’s first 45 minutes. And while Spring Arbor went on to tally 20 shots to just six for Goshen (including a nine to one advantage in shots on goal), the Leafs remained steady. Solid play from junior goalkeeper Emmy Gibson (eight saves) spurned the collective effort.
“We stepped on the pitch ready to play with purpose and passion right from the start,” Mounsithiraj said. “Our substitutes continued to give us quality minutes. Throughout the match our defense was well organized from side to side. We didn’t allow for many quality chances from their two very strong finishers in Crissie Strohmaier and Katie Sayler.”
That tandem — which entered Thursday’s match with nine goals between them — was tracked primarily by freshman Heather Zimmerman and junior Amy Clem, a duo that Mounsithiraj praised highly following the game. Unfortunately for Goshen, Sayler received a nice through ball just 20 minutes into the second period from teammate Megan Mains and outraced the Leafs’ defense to the pass. Touching the ball twice, Sayler sent a left-footed grounder past the outstretched arms of Gibson, giving Spring Arbor the 1-0 advantage.
Perhaps in a testament to Goshen’s newfound abilities, the Leafs continued to look for scoring chances as opposed to implementing a full-out defensive bogdown — a staple from Leafs’ teams of the past. On this night, Goshen actually had a few quality chances on SAU’s goal, with none better than sophomore Allison Yoder’s opportunity with just under 10 minutes to play. Positioned on the right side of SAU’s 18-yard box, Yoder attempted to volley a misplayed ball from the Cougars’ defense. With the left half of the goal undefended, Yoder spun the ball off the side of her left foot, spinning the ball beyond the end line. Disgusted with the golden chance ruined, Yoder slapped her hands together and looked upward.
“Our effectiveness in defense resulted in a very good possession game for us in the midfield,” Mounsithiraj said. “Consequently, our midfield was able to create space in the attacking third. As I’ve said previously, we are emerging as a team and are approaching a place where we are consistent and playing complete soccer.”
Mounsithiraj’s team will not have much time before its next opportunity to showcase its talents, as the team will take a one-day hiatus before returning to MCC competition Friday. The Leafs will travel to Huntington University for a 4 p.m. contest. Goshen defeated the Foresters last season at the Goshen College Soccer Complex in the squads’ MCC season-opener.
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Junior Trish Hershberger