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Wed.
Oct. 24, 2007
SPRING
ARBOR, Mich.
-- Senior captain Stacey Rider recorded her 24th
career shutout with style as the University of Saint Francis
defeated the
#2 seeded Spring Arbor Cougars 1-0 in a Mid-Central Conference
Tournament Semifinal match on Wednesday afternoon.
Spring
Arbor started off the game strong and put USF on it's heels
early. USF finally settled down and gained some of the
play. In the 29th minute, junior Mary Whisler ripped a
volley past the diving SAU keeper to give the Cougars a 1-0
lead. USF finished the half strong and took the lead
into the half.
The second
half would be a battle, and despite strong wind, a great
Spring Arbor crowd, and the 18th-ranked team in the NAIA Top
25,
USF survived protecting the precarious lead through the
final 45 minutes.
Rider, the USF keeper, played out of her mind and was credited with 15
saves on the day. More importantly, Rider picked off
cross after cross to keep Spring Arbor off the scoreboard.
"I have
never been so proud of a group of players, especially our
seniors," USF coach Ken Nuber said. "They have been playing so well and they
deserved this.
"Stacey
proved why she is considered the best keeper in the Region
and proved to some people that she is back and healthy,"
Nuber declared. "She was amazing today. Mary led our midfield and we
battled. Spring Arbor is an excellent team and we
defended hard for the final 45 minutes. I really hope
Spring Arbor gets that at-Large bid to the national
tournament."
USF
advances to the MCC Championship game at Indiana Wesleyan University
starting at 7 p.m. on Saturday
in Marion, Seybold Park. With the win and the Indiana Wesleyan
win, The Lady Cougars have also clinched a berth in the NAIA
Region VIII Final Four, which will be played November 2-3 in Grand
Rapids MI.
Check the
Region VIII bracket for more details
Saint
Francis
1 0 1
Spring Arbor 0
0
0
USF: Mary Whisler 29th minute
SF: Stacey Rider 15 saves
SA: Atar 3 saves
-- GO
USF --
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