GOSHEN, Ind. - Sophia Eli put up some big numbers for a second straight game as the Maple Leafs women's basketball team fell up short in the fourth quarter against Spring Arbor, losing 81-70. Goshen recognized their four seniors for Senior Day after the game - Emily Brandeberry, Sa'drea Rougeau, Jazmin Vargas, and Suzanna Yoder.

Spring Arbor led Goshen 8-6 early on but the Maple Leafs answered back with an 8-0 run, capped off by a spin move and a layup by Sophia Eli. Goshen had a five-point lead in the second quarter at 27-22, but this time the Cougars had an 8-0 run to take a three-point lead. After a Goshen foul in the final second in the half, Alana Nelson made the bucket and her free-throw shot to send the Cougars to the locker room with a 35-31 edge.

Spring Arbor began the third quarter on a 10-0 run and led by 14, but GC scored 19 of the next 29 points to pull within five at the quarter's end. The fourth quarter was where SAU left the biggest imprint, stamping their presence with 26 points in the quarter to Goshen's 19 on their way to an 81-70 win. The Cougars shot 37% in the third quarter but 58% in the fourth. Goshen shot just 29% in the fourth quarter and was outrebounded by eight in the ten minute span.

Alana Nelson had a huge outing for the Cougars, putting up 29 points and ten rebounds. Alize Tripp had 14 points with ten assists and Grace Shoobridge contributed 11 points and 12 rebounds.

Goshen was led by Sophia Eli, who added to her career performance on Wednesday night at Grace with 16 points this afternoon - the second-highest total in her career. She had five assists, three rebounds, and two steals. Zoe Zellers had 14 points and six rebounds. She was 5-7 from the field and a perfect 4-4 at the free-throw line in her first double-digit scoring game since December 16. Zion Neat had 14 points and hit two three-pointers.

With the loss, the Maple Leafs no longer have a chance to make the Crossroads League tournament. Goshen hosts Huntington on Wednesday, February 15, at 7:00 pm for their final game of the season.

Here is the script that was read for the Senior Day ceremony:

Fans, we would now like to recognize our 2023 women's basketball seniors. These four seniors have lived full lives of faith, unity, learning, and leadership during their time as Goshen College student-athletes. Today we would like to individually acknowledge their careers. While their remaining games are coming to a close, their legacies are cemented into the history of Goshen College and they will forever be Maple Leafs.

I am joined by director of athletics Dr. Erica Albertin and our assistant coaches, Cedric Ridle Jr, Jaime Applegate and Thomas Applegate to honor our seniors.

First to be recognized is #24, Emily Brandeberry! Emily is being escorted by her parents, Nancy and Bruce Brandeberry, and her brother Josh Brandeberry. Emily played in 80 games throughout her career at Goshen. She totaled 85 points and 82 rebounds – with 27 points and 27 rebounds coming this year. Recently at Taylor, Emily scored a career-high 12 points in 15 minutes off the bench on 4-7 shooting. Emily graduated last spring as a marine and environmental science major and is currently in the Transition to Teaching program working towards a secondary education license in biology. She plans to be a high school biology, environmental science, and marine biology teacher and wants to coach basketball as well. "Emily has been an anchor for this team - she grounds everyone, treats everyone with the same respect, is kind, throws big elbows & plays big defense, and is one of the best and most genuine teammates a person could ask for. We are so lucky she decided to stay for her fifth year. She has taught us work ethic, perseverance, discipline, and also she has taught us how to knit!" Thank you, Emily!

Next, we have #3, Sa'drea Rougeau! Sa'drea is escorted by her grandmother Gwen Rougeau and her older sister Tahjai Rougeau. Sa'drea has played in 108 games as a Maple Leaf. This season, she is averaging 10 points per game. She recently recorded her first collegiate double-double last weekend in a win at Mount Vernon Nazarene and set a career high with 13 rebounds this afternoon! She is a sport management major and intends to get her MBA, become a successful entrepreneur and basketball trainer, and play pro basketball. "Sa'drea has been one of the best athletes we have had at Goshen over the years. She is speedy with a quick crossover and smooth jumper that wows everyone. What we most appreciate about Drea, however, is seeing her personal growth. She went from a quiet and reserved introvert, to a more outgoing, hilarious, confident young woman in her years here. She is a special young lady and our locker room has truly enjoyed having her as a teammate. She has taught us that leadership comes in many forms, that listening is just as important as talking (if not more), and that trust and loyalty are the most important qualities within a team." Thank you, Sa'drea!

Let's congratulate #20, Jazmin Vargas! Jazmin is escorted by her mom Socorro Rodarte, her dad Eduardo, her sister Kimberly, her brother Manuel, and her fiance Efren. Jazmin has played in 22 games at Goshen and has scored nine points and has 21 rebounds. Jazmin is majoring in nursing and plans to work in the intensive care unit or emergency department at our local hospital in Goshen. "Jazmin is truly and inspiration to many of the players in our locker room. She is confident, mentally tough, caring, and a truly selfless teammate that puts others before herself. She is a strong defender in the same way that she is strong willed in life. She has demonstrated incredible discipline by balancing her nursing duties, work responsibilities, as well as basketball. What has impressed me most about Jazmin is her willingness to serve others with her talents. She will make an unbelievable nurse and we have been so blessed to have her her for four years." Thank you, Jazmin!

Last but not least on the women's side, #10, Suzanna Yoder! Suzanna is escorted by her parents, John and Holly     Blosser Yoder. Suzanna has played in 81 games in four seasons. She has totaled 178 points, 80 rebounds, 60 assists, and 25 steals during her time at Goshen. Suzanna is a social work major and is unsure about her future plans but hopes to get some experience in the social work field next year and then go to grad school. "Suzanna is quite honestly one of the kindest and most genuine people we have had in the GC program. She is curious, secretly the most hilarious person on the team, is entertaining, and is a true glue person all the way around. She has a fantastic stroke from three, is a smart player, and knows how to make others better. Suzanna has left her mark on the GC program by teaching us compassion, how to serve others before yourself, work ethic, and that you can impact the team and the game both on the floor and off. We have been so lucky to have her as part of the GCWBB family." Thank you, Suzanna!