Thiessen, Leafs Too Much For SAU In MCC Quarterfinals
October 31, 2009
UPDATE: Game time for Saturday’s MCC Semifinal vs. Indiana Wesleyan has been set for 1:00 p.m.
GOSHEN, Ind. – Home field advantage is huge come playoff time.
Coming into Saturday’s Mid-Central College Conference Quarterfinal against visiting Spring Arbor University, the Maple Leafs had won seven straight conference tournament contests at the Goshen College Soccer Complex.
After 90 minutes of soccer Saturday night, the streak is alive and well. Goshen scored just six minutes in and then added two second-half tallies as they went on to a 3-1 victory, sending them into the MCC semifinals next Saturday.
It was sophomore Greg Thiessen who got things going for the Leafs. Thiessen and senior Nick Good combined on a beautiful give-and-go before Thiessen struck a right-footed shot from just outside the box that hit the side netting to the far post giving Goshen a 1-0 lead only six minutes into the game.
“What a great result and for us to be able to come out and get a dream start with Greg’s goal was huge,” head coach Tavi Mounsithiraj said. “I thought we started out well, but just like that Spring Arbor started to pick up some play and were giving us some problems on both sides of the field.”
Following the goal, the contest turned into a high-intensity physical battle with both sides having chances, but neither able to really take control of the match.
That is until 20 minutes into the second half. Again, it was Thiessen who got the Maple Leaf offense rolling. This time he was on the distributing end as he sent senior Juan Diaz De Leon through the Cougar defense. De Leon calmly struck from 20 yards as he finished with a low driven ball to the far post to give Goshen the 2-0 advantage.
“In the second half with a one-nil lead, I kept encouraging the guys that we need to be a little more patient on offense and get back to playing one-two touches,” Mounsithiraj explained. “Even after the second goal, there was a of game to be played and Arbor was still very dangerous with the ball at their feet.”
Up 2-0 late, sophomore Daniel Martin gave the Leafs a 3-0 lead as he broke through the Spring Arbor back line. Thiessen once again delivered the perfect through ball and Martin finished his seventh goal of the season.
“Greg had a fantastic night,” Mounsithiraj said of the sophomore who finished with a goal and two assists. “He started us with a great goal and then has the ability to come out and distribute so well. The greatest part is that as a sophomore, his best days are ahead of him.”
The Cougars would grab a goal back in the final five minutes, but it was far too little as Goshen went on for the 3-1 win. Sophomore Ryan Troyer made six saves for the Leafs.
“Again, I feel that we did not play as well as I was hoping for, but we played good enough to get the result,” Mounsithiraj added. “The fans had a lot to do with that as they are just simply awesome and the best fan support for small college soccer in the country. We are 7-1-1 at home this season because of the GC faithful.”
Goshen will return to the GC Soccer Complex and host Indiana Wesleyan – the Wildcats were 3-2 winners over Saint Francis in double overtime – in the MCC Semifinals next Saturday, November 7. Game time has not yet been set.
In other MCC Tournament action, fifth-seed Taylor University upset No. 4 Grace 4-1 and top-seed Bethel knocked off Marian 8-1.
