Both defenses were up to the task in the first half as the two teams each managed just four shots with MVNU (3-2) putting three on goal to just one on goal for Spring Arbor (2-3) as the match went to the break scoreless.

The action began to heat up in the second half as MVNU finished with 10 shots and Spring Arbor took six. With 10:38 left on the clock, junior midfielder Cody Snouffer sent a beautiful cross from the left flank to freshman midfielder Brian Petak (left) who was racing down the middle of the field. Petak volleyed a shot into the back of the net for his first career goal to give the Cougars a 1-0 lead.

With Spring Arbor working hard to equalize, MVNU continued to keep the pressure on with its attach. Then, with 45.1 seconds left, Petak slipped a through ball to sophomore forward Chris Allen, who out-maneuvered Spring Arbor goalie Nicholas Warner and found the back of the net to cap off the 2-0 victory. The goal was Allen’s third of the season as he has now scored in three straight matches - all wins by the Cougars.

MVNU finished with a 14-10 lead in total shots and a 9-2 edge in shots on goal, while Spring Arbor posted a 4-3 margin in corner kicks. Senior goalkeeper Alex Stout posted his third straight shutout for the Cougars and the school-record 29th of his career as he made one save. Warner registered seven saves for Spring Arbor.

MVNU junior defender Steve Armstrong was selected as the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, while Allen was named the Most Valuable Offensive Player and MVNU senior defender Brady Swanson was named the Most Valuable Defensive Player. Petak and junior defender Kemar Jackson were also named to the All-Tournament Team for the Cougars.

“I was very proud of our performance today although it wasn’t a typical showing of Cougar soccer,” said MVNU coach Paul Furey. “In the past, we were able to get on teams early and go in front, but it seems like we are trying to make things a bit more exciting as of late by scoring later goals. But, whatever it takes for us to win this year is really all that matters.”

“I am really happy to have Brian back in the lineup,” Furey added. “We are 3-0 since he has been back, and he delivered a big goal for us today on a great service by Cody. Chris put the game out of reach late which is another indication that he can score goals for us.”

“The tale of this weekend was really the back line not just with the shutout by limiting our opponents to very few scoring opportunities,” said Furey. “Brady, Kemar, and Steve (Wilging) all played great, but Steve Armstrong just had a tremendous weekend. Not only did he set up the game-winning goal on Friday, but he was just energetic all over the field making big plays for us all weekend and I’m happy for him to be named the MVP.”

“Overall, the tournament was a big success in terms of attendance, weather, and competition,” Furey concluded. “Everything was great. We are grateful to First-Knox National Bank for helping us host this tournament each year.”

In the consolation match, Bluefield (Va.) College bounced back from its 1-0 loss to MVNU on Friday by knocking off Campbellsville (Ky.) University 2-1 as Nago Mbengue scored a goal in each half. Casey Clarke got the Tigers on the scoreboard in the 84th minute, but they were never able to equalize. Mbengue and teammate Timmy Michaels joined Campbellsville’s James Clements and Spring Arbor teammates Brennan Rees, Marcel Preis, and Francesco Paese on the All-Tournament Team.

The Cougars will be back in action on Thursday when MVNU will host Point Park (Pa.) University at 3:00 p.m. in the team’s American Mideast Conference opener.