BC Women’s Soccer Outmatched by Cougars
Spring Arbor, Mich. – The Bethel women’s soccer team traveled to the home of last season’s runners-up Spring Arbor Cougars, No. 2 in the nation and undefeated in the Crossroads League, and could not pull of the upset on Wednesday, falling 8-0. The Pilots fall to 4-11-2 on the season and 2-6-0 in the Crossroads League.
The Cougars (16-1, 8-0) struck quickly in the opening minute, as reigning Player of the Year Bethany Balcer netted her first of four goals on the evening in the first 51 seconds. The Cougars continued their attack, adding goals in the 13th and 15th minutes, to take a 3-0 lead early. The Pilots defense settled down after the early attacks, allowing only two shots in the next 17 minutes, before the Cougars added their fourth and fifth goals of the match before intermission.
Lian Glomski and Jessi Fry put shots on goal late in the half but were denied by the Cougar keeper and the hosts took a 5-0 lead into the break. The Cougars added three more goals after intermission, including Balcer’s fourth in the 53rd minute and cruised to an 8-0 victory.
Tessa Zimmerly made 6 saves on the evening for the Pilots while Rebecca Kanpol led the Pilots with three shots.
“I’m proud of the heart our girls showed tonight,” stated Head Coach Jamie Lindvall. “There are definitely some things we can refine, but each game is an opportunity for us to continue to rise and to make the next game better. We’re looking forward to getting to play again on Saturday as we close out the regular season.”
The Pilots return to Morey Field for their final match of the regular season on Saturday as they welcome (RV) Mt. Vernon Nazarene for a 2:00 kick-off, before the Crossroads League Tournament gets underway next week. The Pilots are locked into the 8-seed, regardless of the outcomes on Saturday, as the Pilots defeated St. Francis, who is currently one game back, earlier this season to hold the tie-breaker between the two squads.