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2
Embry-Riddle (Ariz.) ERAZ (17-4-0)
4
Winner Spring Arbor (Mich.) SAU (21-1-1)
Embry-Riddle (Ariz.) ERAZ
(17-4-0)
2
Final
4
Spring Arbor (Mich.) SAU
(21-1-1)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Embry-Riddle (Ariz.) ERAZ 0 2 2
Spring Arbor (Mich.) SAU 3 1 4

Game Recap: Women's Soccer |

Cougars advance with win over Embry-Riddle, Crist picks up 300th career victory

ORANGE BEACH, Ala. – Spring Arbor University is moving on to the NAIA Women's Soccer National Championship Quarterfinals after defeating No. 16 Embry-Riddle (Ariz.) 4-2 on Tuesday afternoon. Junior Bethany Balcer scored a pair of goals, including one 10 seconds into the contest, while Renee Broekhuizen and Kelly Hoffius also found the back of the net.

With the win, head coach Jason Crist earned his 300th career victory. Crist, in his 18th season leading the Cougars, boasts a career coaching record of 300-78-25 and ranks third on the NAIA's winningest active coaches list.

 
 

THE BASICS

FINAL SCORE: #3 Spring Arbor 4, #16 Embry-Riddle (Ariz.) 2

LOCATION: Orange Beach Sportsplex | Orange Beach, Ala.

RECORDS: Spring Arbor 21-1-1, Embry-Riddle 18-4-0

 
 

HOW IT HAPPENED

  • The Cougars pounced on Embry-Riddle immediately scoring 10 seconds into the contest. After taking a pass from senior Aubrey Schierbeek off the opening kickoff, junior Bethany Balcer knifed her way through the Eagles defense before blasting a shot into the lower corner to put SAU up 1-0 early.
  • Spring Arbor added to its lead in the 16th minute when Renee Broekhuizen bent her corner kick into the goal.
  • Just before halftime, Kelly Hoffius scored off another corner kick to give the Cougars a 3-0 lead at the break.
  • Embry-Riddle refused to go away quietly. With its season on the line, the Eagles shook off their sluggish start and scored back-to-back goals in the 56th and 62nd minute to close the gap to one, 3-2.
  • The Eagles nearly found the equalizer with 20 minutes to play, but goalkeeper Ashley Timmons made an outstanding diving save to preserve the lead.
  • Balcer tacked on an insurance goal with eight minutes left on the clock to help seal the victory.
  • Spring Arbor outshot Embry-Riddle 25-12 and held a 5-1 advantage in corner kicks.
  • Timmons finished the afternoon with six saves.

 
 

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE

  • Spring Arbor will advance to the national tournament quarterfinals for the third straight year.
  • The win was the 300th career coaching victory for SAU head coach Jason Crist. He is just one of three active NAIA coaches to reach the milestone.
  • With her two goals today, Balcer now has 35 on the season and 96 for her career.

 
 

UP NEXT

Spring Arbor will play No. 9 Westmont (Calif.) (16-3-2) matchup in the national tournament quarterfinals on Wednesday, Nov. 29 at 5 p.m. ET.

 

 
 

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