ORANGE BEACH, Ala. – The No. 4 ranked Spring Arbor University women's soccer team will be making its first-ever appearance in the NAIA Women's Soccer National Championship title game after upsetting No. 2 University of Northwestern Ohio 1-0 in its semifinal match on Friday.
A goal from Crossroads League Player of the Year Bethany Balcer less than two minutes into the match would prove to be enough as the Cougars were able to slow down the high-powered Racers to post their ninth consecutive shutout.
Spring Arbor stunned Northwestern Ohio (20-3-2) – last year's national runner-up – with the quick strike. Balcer's tally was the first goal the Racers had conceded since Oct. 3 – a streak of nearly 1,200 minutes. Sophomore Jacquelyn Martin got it all started with a long throw-in to fellow sophomore Aubrey Schierbeek. She would flick it on to Balcer who outran two UNOH defenders, and beat two more, to get off a left-footed shot from the top of the 18-yard box that just tucked inside the far post. The goal was her third of the tournament and 28th of the season.
The Cougars would create a couple more chances to add to their lead before halftime, but the UNOH defense and goalkeeper Nadine Stonjek were up to the task, keeping the deficit at one heading into halftime.
Northwestern Ohio controlled possession throughout most of the second half, outshooting SAU 8-3. Even after being issued a red card and playing a man-down, the Racers continued to apply the pressure. However, the Cougar defense would step up and senior goalkeeper Sarah Yancer made four saves over the final 45 minutes to hold off UNOH and secure the team's first trip to the championship game.
The contest marked just the second time this season that the Cougars were outshot as the Racers totaled 15 attempts compared to SAU's 12.
Spring Arbor (22-2-1) has been the only team to upset an opponent throughout the tournament, doing it in back-to-back matches, and will need to accomplish the feat one more time to bring home its first NAIA championship banner.
The Cougars meet the defending national champions, and No. 1 ranked, Lindsey Wilson College (20-1-2) in the championship match on Saturday, Dec. 5 at 4 p.m. ET.
Women's Soccer Contact: Chris Bauman | 517-750-6504 | christopher.bauman@arbor.edu
SAU Athletics: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube
Women's Soccer: Twitter | Facebook
