SPRING ARBOR, Mich. – Cornerstone not only battled a tough Spring Arbor team, but the blazing heat in a 1-1 tie on Wednesday night. Tyler Corstange earned a penalty kick in the 22nd minute that would put CU in front before Spring Arbor responded with a goal on a set piece in the second half. The Golden Eagles allowed their first goal of the year, as they move to 1-0-1 in the early season. CU will now head home for their home opener vs. Saint Xavier a week from tonight starting at 6 p.m.
Game Recap: Cornerstone – 1 Spring Arbor - 1
- On a hot night, that forced an hour delay in start time, you could see the fatigue set in early for both sides with neither side finding great opportunities early.
- At the six-minute mark, Calvin Curtis recorded the first shot for CU that missed wide.
- In his first start as a Golden Eagle, Eli Leegwater recorded a yellow card in the 13th minute to prevent a fast break for Spring Arbor.
- Coming off his WHAC Defender of the Week honor, Cornerstone keeper Roberto Gutierrez kept great command of the back line scooping up any threat the Cougars could muster in the first 20 minutes of play.
- In the 22nd minute, Tyler Corstange was able to break through the defense and nearly score despite being spilled to the ground. Although Spring Arbor was able to clear it away just before the ball entered the net, Corstange earned the penalty kick for the Golden Eagles. Corstange took the PK himself and easily beat Spring Arbor keeper Matt LeBlanc to put CU in front 1-0.
- Minutes after the goal, the referees called for the first water break due to the heat. The break allowed Spring Arbor to regroup and earn five corner kicks and one shot over the next five minutes of play.
- Calvin Curtis saw a great chance to add an insurance goal in the 37th minute off a through pass from Arthur Puppim. SAU keeper Matt LeBlanc was able to redeem himself and make a great save to keep the score 1-0.
- Cornerstone held a 1-0 lead at the half.
- Early in the second half, Spring Arbor was able to maneuver inside the Cornerstone 18-yard box. The CU defense prevented any shots though, as Caleb Griffth and Renan Ceccon were able to win possession back for every SAU threat.
- Calvin Curtis was given a yellow card in the 52nd minute for the second of the match for the Golden Eagles.
- Breven Willis took a shot from outside the 18-yard box in the 61st minute that missed just high as the score stayed 1-0.
- Spring Arbor was finally able to break the Golden Eagle defense in the 70th minute and find the net. The Cougars earned a set piece from just inside the corner flag. A low driven ball from Francis Kwashie was finished by Austin Boafo to tie the game up 1-1.
- After the SAU goal, Cornerstone made a substitution in net as Jason Michalek made his first appearance of the season at the 74:09 mark.
- Seth Campbell nearly put Cornerstone back in front in the 78th minute, but SAU keeper Matt LeBlanc made another great save. Just over a minute later Campbell was given a yellow card, the third of the game for CU.
- In the final 10 minutes both sides frantically tried to find a game winner. Each side saw chances but were unable to do so as the game ended in a 1-1 tie.
By the Numbers:
11 – Sophomore Tyler Corstange scored his 11th career goal and first of the season with today's game winner.
11-0 – Cornerstone defended the corner kick well on the night as Spring Arbor saw 11 on the evening, while CU did not record one.
9-8 – The two sides were even offensively. Spring Arbor recorded nine shots and Cornerstone recorded eight.
What's Next?
Cornerstone heads home to face Saint Xavier in their home opener on Wednesday, August 30 at 6 p.m. as they continue non-conference play.
Men's Soccer Contact: Jesse Campbell
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