Spring Arbor, Mich. - For the first time in eight matches, the Marian women's soccer team suffered defeat, as No. 11 Spring Arbor upended the Knights 4-3 in the Crossroads League Championship. Marian's loss in the tournament championship drops them to 16-3-2 on the season.

Marian wasted no time pouncing on their rivals, as an early opportunity created by Layla Brown and Katie Koger gave the Knights a 1-0 lead in the fifth minute of the game. Both Koger and Brown set up Lizzie Chlystun, who drove in the first goal of the evening to spark the quick lead. Marian continued to stay aggressive, and on their second shot of the match found a second goal, this time with Brown getting the score in the 14th minute. Sienna Mullen set up the fifth-year senior, and helped create the 2-0 lead for Marian.

Just as quickly as they got the lead, the Knights saw the lead evaporate as Spring Arbor countered with a strong attack. In the 15th minute, Spring Arbor found a pair of shot attempts in close range of the goal, with Mychaela Johnson making the save on the first, but was unable to deny the second attempt as Kaylee Beekel beat the keeper for the Cougars first goal. Just four minutes later, Spring Arbor again scored, as their third shot of the night, again from Beekel, darted past Johnson in the net and leveled the match 2-2.

After the four-goal frenzy to open the first 20 minutes of play, the final 25 minutes of the opening half went without a goal, as the game stood even 2-2 at the half. Chylstun and Brown each took shot attempts in an effort to reclaim the lead, but were unsuccessful, as was the Cougars' Lauren Marshall who missed her attempt in the 43rd minute high of the bar. 

Spring Arbor's momentum from the first half carried over into the second, as their defense played strong against Marian as four corner kicks in the first five minutes of the new period came and went without a shot attempt. The Cougars would go back on the offensive with a Fara Serra shot, and in the 53rd minute the lead was conceded by Marian for the first time as Marshall shot one past Johnson to give the home side a 3-2 edge. 

The Knights attempted a response in the 57th minute with a shot from Cecelia Kostick, but her look on goal was snared by Reagan Kohler. The Cougars would answer the shot with a goal 15 minutes later, as Kaylee Beekel completed the hat trick with her third goal of the night, putting Spring Arbor in front by two goals. Marian would respond quickly as the Knights drew a penalty kick, which Layla Brown sank to make it a 4-3 game, but a last ditch effort from the guests did not come with an equalizing goal, as the Cougars held on to a 4-3 victory.

Both teams took nine shots in the match, with Marian getting a team-high three from Brown. Brown's brace equaled her 17th and 18th goals of the season, while her assist on the goal for Chlystun was her 12th. Koger took one shot while earning an assist, while Chlystun took a pair of shots. In goal, Johnson suffered defeat for the first time since taking a 1-0 loss against Taylor on October 2. Johnson made three saves in the match. 

The four goals allowed are the most in a match since suffering a 4-1 defeat against the University of the Cumberlands on August 24. 

Marian will learn their fate for the NAIA National Tournament on Saturday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. during the NAIA Selection Show. The show will be aired on the NAIA YouTube Channel. Marian is a candidate to host yet again in the First and Second Round, which takes place November 21-23. More details on the Knights postseason appearance will be announced after the selection show. Marian has earned an automatic bid to the NAIA Tournament as the runner-up in the Crossroads League Regular Season and Tournament. 

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