ORANGE BEACH, Ala. – The No. 4 ranked Spring Arbor University women's soccer team tallied three goals in the first 33 minutes to defeat No. 11 Baker University (Kan.) 3-0 in the NAIA Women's Soccer National Championship Second Round on Tuesday night at the Orange Beach Sportsplex.
The win sends the Cougars into the tournament quarterfinals where they will face off against No. 3 William Carey University on Wednesday evening.
The win was the 16th straight for Spring Arbor, and sends the Cougars into the tournament quarterfinals where they will face off against No. 3 William Carey University on Wednesday evening.
Spring Arbor held a 24-6 shot advantage over Baker (16-5-1), including a 14-2 edge through the first half. Senior goalkeeper Sarah Yancer stopped the only two shots she faced to record the clean sheet. The shutout was the 12th of the season for SAU, and the seventh straight as the Cougars have not conceded in a goal in the last 647 minutes of action.
Senior Kristina Sobel, senior Nikki Bonnema and junior Corrie Good netted goals for Spring Arbor. Sobel's goal was her first of the season while Bonnema has now registered at least one goal in each of the last three matches.
Senior Kristina Sobel started the scoring in the 12th minute. Sophomore Sarah Klunder delivered a corner kick into the box that eventually found the feet of Sobel, who punched a shot past the BU goalkeeper. The Cougars added to their lead less than eight minutes later when Bonnema tapped in a cross from Good.
Good would also find the back of the net registering her ninth goal of the season in the 33rd minute. After the ball got away from a Baker defender, Good gathered it and ripped a shot from the top of the 18-yard box into the far corner.
Spring Arbor (20-2-1) will make just its second-ever appearance in the tournament's quarterfinals. The last time the Cougars advanced to the "Sweet 16" was in 2012 when the team finished third place overall.
Kickoff for Wednesday's matchup against William Carey (17-2-2) is slated for 7:30 p.m. EST.
Women's Soccer Contact: Chris Bauman | 517-750-6504 | christopher.bauman@arbor.edu
SAU Athletics: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube
Women's Soccer: Twitter | Facebook
