Second half goals carry Spring Arbor over Pride in NAIA Tournament 2nd Round

SPRING ARBOR, Mich. - Making their first NAIA Tournament appearance in program history, the Clarke University men's soccer team fell short of their first NAIA Tournament win in a 2-0 loss to Spring Arbor University on Saturday night.

The first half saw the Pride produce a good amount of chances in their offensive third, including five corner kicks to just one for SAU, but were unable to find the back of the net with shots near even at 5-4 in favor of CU but a 0-0 game at halftime.

Spring Arbor was able to create more consistent pressure in the early portions of the second half as they were able to break through on the scoresheet in the 54th minute when an initial long shot attempt went off the cross bar and fell into the box to an open Rood Schnaider who put home the rebound opportunity to make it 1-0 Cougars.

About 13 minutes of game time later, SAU would double their lead when Sahel Yessen found some space in the box to beat Clarke goalie Philipp Kohle near post for his nineth goal of the season to make it 2-0 in the 67th minute.

The Pride would up their pressure to produce a flurry of opportunities in the final moments, including two late corner kicks as they held a corner kick advantage in the second half again, this time 5-2, but could not find a goal to cut into the lead.

Spring Arbor will advance to the Round of 16 at the final site of Wichita, Kan. to face No. 1 seed Dalton State as the historic Clarke men's soccer season comes to a close with a final record of 11-6-1 as they reached new heights including their first ever postseason victory and NAIA Tournament appearance.