CEDARVILLE, Ohio - Cedarville battled Spring Arbor to a 3-3 draw in two overtimes, but the visiting Cougars advanced to the NCCAA Midwest Region championship match by winning the penalty kick shootout.
The Yellow Jackets, who finish the campaign 8-9-2, never held the lead and rallied from three one-goal deficits on a breezy day with wind chills hovering around the low 20's.
Spring Arbor tallied on a direct kick in the 7th minute to get the scoring underway. Matt Niemiec answered five minutes later on an assist from Luke Griffith. It was 1-1 at the break.
The Cougars regained the lead just three minutes into the second half before Jason Cunningham equalized in the 55th minute from Niemiec and James Twinem. Spring Arbor made it 3-2 in the 75th minute when a restart near the right corner was redirected into the net by a CU defender for an own goal. Niemiec finished off his team-high 12th goal of the season in the 86th minute from Twinem and Camden Bonardi to force overtime.
Shots were scarce in the two 10-minute sudden death periods leading to the penalty kick shootout. It lasted through just four competitors with Cedarville shooting first and only Twinem connecting. The Cougars hit on three-of-four attempts to end it.
The Yellow Jackets had the advantage in shots overall, 16-12, with Spring Arbor holding the edge in shots on goal, 8-7. Cedarville was whistled for more than twice the fouls, 33-16. [STATS]
Jason Cunningham, who scored Cedarville's second goal against Spring Arbor, battles for the ball in the air.