WOMEN’S SOCCER

The 7th-seeded Huntington women’s soccer team pushed 2nd-seeded and fifth-ranked Spring Arbor to the wire Tuesday evening, falling 1-0 in a hard-fought Crossroads League Tournament quarterfinal at the Cougar Soccer Complex.

The postseason clash marked a dramatic shift from the teams’ regular-season meeting, in which the powerhouse Cougars took a 5-0 decision. On Tuesday, the Foresters stepped onto the pitch with poise, tactical discipline, and relentless grit, frustrating a Spring Arbor squad riding a four-game win streak and boasting a defense that has conceded just seven goals all year.

Spring Arbor (14-2-2), a program rich in postseason pedigree and winners of the 2022 NAIA National Championship, broke through in the 23rd minute when Isa Martinez finished an assist from Gracie Beld at the 22:36 mark.

Despite the early deficit, the Foresters stayed composed and elevated their pressure as the contest wore on. HU generated dangerous looks in the second half, with defender Maria Paladino putting a shot on frame in the 51st minute that required a save from SAU keeper Mia Warner. Forward Payton Toth and freshman Eva McInturff also unleashed shots down the stretch as Huntington fought until the final horn.

Junior goalkeeper Macie Sanders turned in a stellar performance between the posts, stopping four of the five shots on goal she faced over the full 90 minutes.

“I couldn’t ask more of this team today -we left it all on the field,” said HU head coach Keaton Albert. “We battled and frustrated our opponent. This is one of those losses that only stings because our season is over, not because we performed poorly. I thought today we were brilliant on the counter, every 50/50 ball was competed for, and our 1v1s were solid. We broke out much more in the second half and won some counters off the press. We felt some calls didn’t go our way, and some were obvious. But that is also the game sometimes. Regardless, we took the No. 5 team in the nation to a tight contest. There is no shame in that.”

The defeat concludes a remarkable 2026 campaign for Huntington (8-7-1). The Foresters’ eight victories represent the highest win total for the program since 2017, when HU finished 10-8-2.

The match also marks the close of outstanding careers for the Forester senior class, highlighted by key all-league honorees. Forward Sophie Shepherd earned First Team All-Crossroads League honors for the third consecutive year, while senior midfielder Jianna Simons and senior defender Jezmin Castellanos each received Honorable Mention All-League recognition.

“This team has challenged me in so many ways,” Albert reflected. “One major way was they believed in each other and their ability to win. As a coach, that is something I’ll cherish from this team as I continue coaching. This team is special, not because of the records and accomplishments this year, but because they became a family. Through a journey that brought many challenges and joys, we can look back with limited regrets.

“The seniors – I’m so proud of them. They’ve left a stamp on this program. They gained a respect from the league that was never there before. Their impact will remain for years to come. I already miss them all! I will always remember this year and never forget how together we built something special.”