TU Falls in Crossroads League Semifinals to No. 3 SAU
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SPRING ARBOR, Mich. – The fifth-seed Taylor women’s soccer team fell 4-1 to top-seed Spring Arbor and closed out the season in the Crossroads League Semifinals on Saturday.
The Trojans (12-4-4) held the defending NAIA National Champions and No. 3 Cougars (16-1-1) scoreless in the first half, before SAU came charging out in the second half.
After going down 1-0, TU answered in the 63rd minute, when senior Bailey Zehr was able to pick up the loose ball in front of the net and slice it into the lower-right corner to even the score. The tally was Zehr’s 11th of the year and her 31st point of the season. Zehr ended with 30-career goals, 16 assists and 76 points. The milestone was the first time in her career hitting the 30-point mark during a season. The Windsor, Colorado native’s goal was the sixth one allowed all season by the SAU defense.
The Cougars did not let Taylor celebrate for long and took a 2-1 lead, before scoring two more goals before time ran out. The Cougars scored four goals in the second half for the second-consecutive match.
The Purple and Gold felt the pressure all afternoon as SAU held an 11-3 shot tilt and placed six on-goal, compared to TU’s one. Taylor had one shot attempt in the second period, which was Zehr’s netter. Zehr finished with two tries and freshman Erin Teevans added another.
In the net for Taylor, sophomore Megan Williams had two saves and finished the year with 71.
This was the fifth CL Semifinals appearance in the last seven seasons for TU.
The Trojans will graduate seven seniors on the team, Savannah Porter, Lauren Engelkes, Emily Calvani, Rebekah Schwulst, Rachel German, Maddi Guillaume and Zehr. The seniors have combined to start in 210 matches and scored 46 goals, while making an appearance in the Crossroads League Tournament each season.
Spring Arbor will host Grace on Saturday, Nov. 10 in the Crossroads League Championship, as the Lancers won 1-0 over Marian to advance.