SPRING ARBOR, Mich. - No. 3 Indiana Wesleyan Women's Soccer battled the Cougars of Spring Arbor University in Spring Arbor on Friday evening in the Crossroads League Tournament Semifinal. After a long, hard fought contest that went through two overtimes without a score, the Wildcats found a way to victory after a 5-4 result in penalty kicks. IWU will now host the no. 5 seed Marian University in the Crossroads League Tournament Championship next week.
The first half was an even battle between the big cats. SAU outshot IWU 7-5 and forced three saves from goalkeeper Avery Sluss to only one of their own. Both sides had chances close but were unable to get one through. The second half favored Spring Arbor more as they equaled their first half shots but held the Wildcats to only two. Sluss made four more key saves to keep the game tied all the way to the end of regulation. Across both overtimes, the Cougars continued to pressure the IWU backline, but the wall in net held strong with four more saves. As the match went to penalty kicks, Spring Arbor took a 2-0 advantage after three rounds. However, Avery Sluss made some key blocks and Alanna Jordan, Katelyn VanderArk, Anna Pettitt, and Breena Ireland all made the next kicks for IWU to lock the score at four a piece. SAU missed their next attempt and Sydney Couch put in the final ball to send the Wildcats to the final round of the Crossroads Tournament.
THE ESSENTIALS
- Location: Spring Arbor, Mich. | Cougar Soccer Complex
- Records: IWU: 15-1-4 (6-1-2) | SAU: 14-2-3 (7-1-1)
- NAIA Top 25 Poll: IWU - #3 | SAU - #5
WHAT HAPPENED
- The Cougars held the advantage in shots and corner kicks throughout regulation and into overtime.
- Senior Avery Sluss made crucial saves in regulation and both overtimes to send the match into penalty kicks.
- IWU went down 0-2 but roared back with saves and makes to tie it at 4-4.
- After a Spring Arbor miss, Sydney Couch put in the advancing goal for IWU.
NOTABLE NUMBERS
- 11: Avery Sluss kept IWU in the match by making 11 saves across all four periods of play.
- 5: The Wildcats needed 5 makes in penalty kicks to get over Spring Arbor.
- 2023: The Wildcats advance to the Championship match for the first time since the 2023 season.
SLUSS PERSPECTIVE
- "Something our team has really been emphasizing today is the phrase "Only God." Only God deserves the glory for our victories, because He is the reason behind it all," said goalkeeper Avery Sluss. "Spring Arbor is an incredibly talented program, and today's win was truly a full-team effort from all 31 girls. Every single girl on this team played such an important role, regardless of how many minutes they spent on the field. Each person contributed to this victory in their own way, and that is what makes this team so special. We are beyond grateful and excited for this win, but even more than that, we are thankful that God has blessed us with the opportunity to keep playing the sport we love alongside our best friends. All glory to Him, always!"
LOOKING FORWARD
- IWU hosts the Crossroads League Tournament Championship against Marian University Tuesday at 7:00 PM.
- Links for tickets, video, and stats are available at IWUWildcats.com.
FOLLOW THE WILDCATS
#
