MARION, IND. - No. 8 Women's Soccer welcomed No 13 Spring Arbor to Marion for their Crossroads League play opener. IWU started aggressively with multiple shots on goal, including attempts by Katelyn VanderArk and Madelynn Welker, both saved by Spring Arbor's goalkeeper early on. Avery Sluss recorded all four of her saves in the first half including one on a very close transition shot attempt that Sluss punched out to keep the Cougars off the scoreboard. After being outshot 7-4 in the first half, the Wildcats put pressure on SAU very early with 5 shots in the first 10 minutes. Among those 5 shots were two back to back by VanderArk and then another pair by Avery Williams that hit the post that bounced to Welker who's shot went wide. Spring Arbor returned the favor by hitting the crossbar on one of their shots a few minutes later. Alyssa Hamann nearly snuck in a goal on a very long shot from the defensive line that was just saved by the opposing goalkeeper. IWU would not let up and hit the goalpost yet again on a shot by VanderArk that ricocheted to Sarah Foulk who just missed wide on her shot. Indiana Wesleyan would go on to hit the crossbar and goalpost on two more shots in the period, both were just inches away from being goals. After the second period, which saw 15 shots for IWU compared to 5 from SAU, the most exciting scoreless match between two NAIA top 15 teams came to a close.
THE ESSENTIALS
- Location: Marion, Ind. | IWU Soccer Field
- Records: IWU: 6-1-1 (0-0-1) | SAU: 4-1-4 (0-0-1)
- NAIA Top-25 Poll: IWU - #8 | SAU - #13
WHAT HAPPENED
- The first period started with 3 shots early for IWU followed by 7 for SAU.
- Avery Sluss made 4 key saves in the first half to keep the Cougars from taking the lead.
- The Wildcats brought the energy in the second period and put the Cougars on their heels defensively.
- IWU would hit the crossbar or goalpost on 4 of their shots in the second half and were mere inches away from taking the lead on other shots that were saved by Spring Arbor.
KEY WILDCATS
NOTABLE NUMBERS
- 3: Four Wildcats finished the game with at least 3 shots taken.
- 4: Goalkeeper Avery Sluss recorded 4 saves for the second straight game and earned her 4th clean sheet of the year.
- 15: IWU outshot SAU 15-5 in the second half.
LOOKING FORWARD
- The Wildcats take on No. 24 Taylor University on September 27th at 7:00 PM in Upland, Ind.
- Links for video and stats are be available at IWUWildcats.com.
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