The visiting Cavaliers (11-7), who had rallied for a 3-2 victory over MVNU at Walsh just two weeks ago after trailing by two goals in that match, had the better of the play in the first half as they also had the strong wind at their backs. The Cavaliers held a 7-2 advantage of shots in the first half, but the Cougars’ defense and senior goalkeeper Alex Stout were up to the task as the match went to the half still scoreless.

The second half was a different story, though, as MVNU (13-5-1), the No. 4 seed, immediately began to attack with much more intensity on offense right from the kickoff. Less than five minutes into the final period, junior midfielder Cody Snouffer knocked a short goal kick ahead to sophomore Chris Allen (left). Allen collected the pass after a defender slipped and ripped a shot into the back of the net to give the Cougars a 1-0 lead. The goal was Allen’s sixth of the year, while Snouffer picked up his ninth assist.

Two minutes later, MVNU extended its lead to 2-0 when senior midfielder Scott Spangler scored on a free kick from 40 yards out on the left flank. Spangler’s kick continued to float in the wind and went over the hands of Walsh goalie Mike Kelley and into the upper corner inside the far post. The goal was Spangler’s second of the year.

The Cougars made sure there would be no comeback this time around against the Cavaliers as MVNU continued to keep the pressure on the Walsh defense. In the 67th minute, Allen collected a loose ball that was bouncing around in the box and scored his second goal of the match and seventh of the season.

That would prove to be more than enough offense as the Cougars posted their 12th shutout of the year. Stout finished with four saves in posting his 37th career shutout to increase his own school record. Kelley and Nate Rech combined to stop four shots for the Cavaliers. MVNU held a 13-11 advantage in total shots, a 7-4 edge in shots on goal, and an 8-4 lead in corner kicks that included a 5-1 margin in the decisive second half.

“I was very proud of our guys today in rebounding from the tough loss against Walsh two weeks ago,” said MVNU coach Paul Furey. “Obviously, this match had bigger stakes and we really played well, especially in the second half. The wind was a factor today when you were playing into it. It helped them in their attack in the first half and then stymied them a bit in the second half and allowed us to do some things.”

“I thought we moved the ball very well,” Furey added. “Chris scoring two goals for us was big, and I was happy for Scott to get a bit of a different goal. It was a good service from distance and it gave us a big lift when it went in. Our back line and Alex did a great job again. Alex had a big save in the first half when we needed him to. I am impressed with how solid that group has been. Along with the others, Eric (Appiah), who has been filling in for Steve (Wilging), has done a very good job for us.”

With the victory, the Cougars will now advance to the AMC Tournament semifinals at top seed and AMC regular-season champion Roberts Wesleyan (N.Y.) College. MVNU will take on the host Raiders (8-7-1) at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, while No. 2 seed Notre Dame College (12-3-2) will square off with No. 3 seed Houghton (N.Y.) College (9-7-2) in the other semifinal on Friday at 5:30 p.m. The championship match will then take place on Saturday at 3:00 p.m. with the tournament winner receiving an automatic berth into the NAIA National Championship Opening Round on November 21.

“It is good to be back in the AMC Final Four,” said Furey. “Hopefully, we can prepare well for our first round match against the host and No. 1 seed. Anything can happen this time of the year and we are just glad to be back.”