On Saturday, Oct. 1, five was the magic number for the Spring Arbor University women’s soccer team in their 5-0 win against Marian College.

For most of the game, the ball went back and forth between the players from Marian and the Lady Cougars. Players from both teams put up a good fight to maintain control of the ball. With possession changing so many times it seemed as though it would be a long game with little scoring.

However, Braydan Wiles scored the first of five Cougar goals with 23:28 left in the first half. She caught the Marian keeper off guard as she retreated back to the net after clearing a ball that got through the Marian defense.

Wiles’ goal was the only goal of the first half. The teams battled for possession and took as many shots on goal as they could until halftime.

After making some adjustments at halftime, Karly Linton scored a goal minutes into the second half with the help of Megan Wegener, putting the Cougars up 2-0.

Almost exactly 10 minutes later, Becca Lynn scored an unassisted goal off a direct kick. This was her first goal in a Spring Arbor uniform. Not too long after Lynn’s goal Wiles scored her second unassisted goal of the game and put the Cougars up 4-0.

The final goal was scored by freshman Courtney Harrison, who was assisted by Linton, with about 20 minutes left in the game.

Marian put up a good fight, attempting 13 shots on goal, but Spring Arbor keeper Brooklyn Morgan stopped all the shots.

The Cougars are currently ranked eleventh in the NAIA and will be hosting their alumni game on Oct. 8. Their next home conference game will be against Taylor University on Oct. 11.

[WRITER’S NOTE: ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE OCTOBER 2011 EDITION OF “THE PULSE”]