SPRING ARBOR, Mich. — Kaleigh Blatti made a career-high eight saves, but the Indiana University Northwest women's soccer team couldn't overcome a two-goal deficit in a 2-0 loss to No. 21 Spring Arbor on Saturday.
Spring Arbor came out firing from the opening whistle, peppering Blatti with shot after shot. Alana Simmons, Alyssa Pringle and Isa Martinez all tested the RedHawks netminder within the first five minutes, and Martinez alone put four shots on frame in the opening half hour. Blatti stood tall throughout, turning away five shots in the first period alone to keep the match scoreless deep into the half.
The Cougars finally broke through in the 33rd minute, when Sofia Brooks set up Tessa Ponstein for the opening goal. Spring Arbor doubled its lead just eight minutes later, as Ava Unger struck in the 41st minute to make it 2-0 heading into the break.
Despite being outshot heavily, the RedHawks pushed for a response. Ava Haluska tested Spring Arbor goalkeeper Kailey Walcott in the 17th minute, and Piper Ellenberger had a look saved in the 37th minute off a corner kick from Haluska. IUN couldn't find the breakthrough, finishing the match with three shots to Spring Arbor's 27.
Blatti added three more saves in the second half to finish with eight on the night, facing 10 shots on goal in the loss. The RedHawks defense held firm enough to keep the game within reach into the final minutes, but IUN was unable to generate the offense needed to answer back.
With the result, Indiana Northwest falls to 2-1-0 on the season, while Spring Arbor improves to 3-0-0. The RedHawks return home Tuesday, Sept. 1, to host IU Kokomo at East Chicago Central High School. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. CDT.
