SPRING ARBOR, Mich. – The Spring Arbor University women's soccer team will have the opportunity to defend its title at the final site of the NAIA Women's Soccer National Championship after defeating Rochester College 5-0 in the Opening Round on Saturday. Sophomore Bethany Balcer scored three goals to help send the reigning national champion, and No. 1 ranked, Cougars on to the national tournament Sweet 16.

THE BASICS

FINAL SCORE: #1 Spring Arbor 5, Rochester 0

LOCATION: Cougar Soccer Complex | Spring Arbor, Mich.

RECORDS: Spring Arbor 19-0-1, Rochester 9-8-4

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The windy and snowy conditions were not enough to slow down Spring Arbor as the Cougars scored three first half goals and never looked back.
• Spring Arbor generated a dangerous chance off the opening kick but a tremendous save by Rochester goalkeeper Barbara Bronco-Lazarini kept SAU off the scoreboard. However, off the ensuing corner kick, Sarah Klunder found the head of Bethany Balcer to give the Cougars a 1-0 lead just 39 seconds into the match. Balcer would add to the advantage seven minutes later when she took a pass from Corrie Good and slipped a shot past the netminder to the far post.
• In the 20th minute, Renee Broekhuizen connected with Lauren Orr to give the Cougars a commanding 3-0 lead.
• Spring Arbor tacked on two more goals in the second half. Aubrey Schierbeek found the back of the net in the 55th minute and Balcer completed the hat trick with her third goal of the afternoon in the 71st minute.
• The Cougars outshot the Warriors 23-3 on the afternoon and finished with five corner kicks compared to the visitor's two.
• Goalkeepers Ashley Timmons and Allison Keizer combined to shutout Rochester, recording one save apiece.

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE

• With the win, Spring Arbor extended its unbeaten streak to 39 matches.
• The Cougars will be making their third consecutive trip to the national tournament final site.
• Spring Arbor also set a new single-season team record with 84 goals scored this season, breaking the previous all-time mark of 83 set a year ago.
• The shutout of Rochester gives SAU 16 this season, one more than the team had all last season.
• The hat trick by Balcer was her second of the season, and third of her career. The Hudsonville, Michigan native now has 27 goals this season, which ranks fifth nationally and is just three shy of her own single-season program record.

FOR THE WARRIORS

• Rochester finished with match with three shots, including two on goal by Ashley Miles and Sarah Economeas.
• Bronco-Lazarini made five saves in goal for the Warriors while fellow goalkeepers Cali Clemons and Madison Bottiaux made one stop apiece.
• Rochester, which was making its first-ever appearance in the national tournament, finished its season with a 9-8-4 record.

QUOTES FROM HEAD COACH JASON CRIST

• "The ladies showed good focus and determination in tough conditions today."
• "The elements made it difficult to play and Rochester played a hard and well-organized match. Full respect to their players and coaching staff for a great season and a spirited match today."
• "The women set the tone immediately, almost scoring off the kickoff and then creating a fantastic goal on the ensuing corner kick."
• "We are excited to be advancing to the final 16 again. It's been a long, and sometimes challenging, journey this fall and our ladies have competed not just fiercely, but also with humility and class. I am very proud of them."

UP NEXT

Spring Arbor returns to Orange Beach, Alabama to defend its national title. The Cougars will take on No. 16 Cumberland University (Tenn.) (13-4-2) in the second round of the tournament on Monday, Nov. 28 at 12 p.m. EST.

Women's Soccer Contact: Chris Bauman | 517-750-6504 | christopher.bauman@arbor.edu
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