ORANGE BEACH, Ala. – Spring Arbor University got a first half goal from sophomore Bethany Balcer, and that would prove to be enough as the No. 1 ranked Cougars defeated No. 7 Vanguard University (Calif.) 1-0 on Wednesday to advance to the NAIA Women's Soccer National Championship Semifinals.

THE BASICS

FINAL SCORE: #1 Spring Arbor 1, #7 Vanguard 0

LOCATION: Orange Beach Sportsplex | Orange Beach, Ala.

RECORDS: Spring Arbor 21-0-1, Vanguard 18-4-0

HOW IT HAPPENED

• In a matchup featuring two of the top defensive teams in the country, Spring Arbor and Vanguard knew that offense would be at a premium. Both sides entered the contest ranked top-five in the NAIA in shutouts and goals allowed per game.
• With a spot in the national tournament final four on the line, it took a while for both sides to settle in as the two titans spent the first several minutes feeling each other out.
• The Cougars broke the deadlock, however, in the 20th minute with a blast from Balcer from 25 yards out. After a taking a pass from Aubrey Schierbeek, the 2015 NAIA National Player of the Year ripped a shot that snuck under the diving Vanguard goalkeeper to put SAU on top.
• The Lions countered with a couple looks of their own, but Ashley Timmons and the rest of the Cougar defense was up to the task.
• Just before halftime, Spring Arbor looked to add to its lead with another strong shot from Balcer, but her attempt would rattle the woodwork.
• Heading into halftime, the two teams faced an unexpected challenge as the weather turned forcing a 30 minute delay.
• Following the intermission, Spring Arbor created a few more chances to extend its advantage, including a shot from Renee Broekhuizen that sailed just high, but came up empty.
• With 16 minutes to play, the skies opened up and heavy rains and lightning forced another long delay.  After a stoppage that lasted near two hours, the teams returned to the field.
• Vanguard looked to use the extra break to its advantage and generated a dangerous opportunity late, but the shot would miss wide.
• Spring Arbor outshot Vanguard 15-7 on the afternoon and held a 4-1 advantage on corner kicks.
• Timmons finished the match with two saves to register her 12th clean sheet of the year.

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE

• Spring Arbor returns to the national semifinals for the second straight year, and for the third time in program history (2016, 2015, 2012).
• The shutout was the 18th of the campaign for the Cougars, which ranks as the second most in the country.
• The victory was also the eighth straight national tournament win for SAU dating back to last season. The Cougars are now 11-5-2 all-time in the national tournament.
• Over the last two years in the national tournament, Spring Arbor has outscored the opposition 22-0.
• Balcer netted her 30th goal of the season, tying her program record for goals in a single-season. The Hudsonville, Michigan native is currently tied for second on the program's all-time scoring list with 60 career goals.

FOR THE LIONS

• Madison Lopp and Rayven Hernandez recorded two shots apiece to lead the Lions.
• Goalkeeper Haley Magana, who had not conceded a goal in more than a month before today's match, finished with three saves. Magana ranked second in the nation with a 0.26 goals against average.
• Vanguard was making its second all-time appearance in the national tournament quarterfinals, and finishes the year with a 18-4-0 – tied for the most wins in a single-season in program history.

QUOTES FROM HEAD COACH JASON CRIST

• "The women did a great job grinding out a positive result against a very good team when it seemed like all of the conditions were stacked against us."
• "After playing the first half into a really stiff wind and dominating play, we were forced to deal with two weather delays that amounted to over two hours of sitting around. By the time we returned to the field the wind had shifted and we were playing into it again for the end of the match."
• "The ladies never lost focus and battled toe-to-toe with a very tough, physical and athletic Vanguard team. If we had done a little better job finishing in the first half we would've had some breathing room, but as it was we had to protect a one goal lead and the women did a great job with that."
• "Sarah Klunder, Rachel DeLancey and Aubrey Schierbeek were absolutely amazing today. The whole team from the bench all the way through gave a great effort and pushed us through to the final four. I knew we would have our mettle tested today and the ladies showed what we're made of. I'm very proud of them."

UP NEXT

Spring Arbor will take on the winner of the Benedictine (Kan.) and Baker (Kan.) match in the semifinals on Friday, Dec. 2 at 1 p.m. ET.

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