SPRING ARBOR, Mich. – The 6th ranked Spring Arbor University women's soccer team defeated AIB College of Business (Iowa) 2-0 in the NAIA Women's Soccer National Championship Opening Round on Saturday.
Freshman Renee Broekhuizen tallied the go-ahead goal in the 33rd minute before senior Clara Williams tacked on an insurance goal in the 83rd minute to seal the victory and send the Cougars to the round of 16.
With the win, the eighth-seeded Cougars return to Orange Beach, Alabama for the third time in four years.
Spring Arbor carried play for much of the first half, outshooting the Eagles 8-2. The Cougars created a couple great scoring chances early, but the outstanding play of AIB goalkeeper Kaylin Swart kept the match scoreless.
In the 20th minute, SAU nearly broke the deadlock after drawing a foul just outside the 18-yard box. On the ensuing free kick, senior Becaa Lynn blasted a shot that went off the crossbar, however, and the Eagles would clear the rebound to end the threat.
The Cougars were able to breakthrough, though, in the 33rd minute. Lynn lofted a corner kick to the back post where it found the head of Broekhuizen and the freshman buried it into the back of the net to put SAU on top.
In the second half, Spring Arbor continued to dominate possession, but AIB, who was making its first national tournament appearance in just its third year as a program, refused to give up and managed to keep the deficit at one until late in the match.
The Cougars ended any hope of an Eagle comeback, however, after Williams banged home a rebound in the 83rd minute. Junior Nikki Bonnema forced Swart to make a tremendous leaping save from 20 yards out. Swart had punched the ball off the crossbar, but Williams, following the shot the entire way, was right there to clean up the loose ball.
On the afternoon, Spring Arbor outshot AIB 17-2 and held a 7-0 advantage in corner kicks. Junior goalkeeper Sarah Yancer finished the match with one save to record her ninth shutout of the season.
Spring Arbor (19-1-1) will meet No.9 Benedictine College (19-1) in the second round of the NAIA National Championship tournament on Monday, Dec. 1 at the Orange Beach Sports Complex in Orange Beach, Alabama.
- Follow Cougar Nation -
Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Live Stream
