NAIA TOURNAMENT PAGE | NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP BRACKET | SPRING ARBOR TOURNAMENT CENTRAL

ORANGE BEACH, Ala. – For the second time in three years, Spring Arbor University is the national champion after defeating Benedictine College (Kan.) 2-0 in the NAIA Women's Soccer National Championship on Saturday in Orange Beach, Alabama.

Junior Bethany Balcer was named the NAIA Women's Soccer Most Valuable Player of the tournament while senior Aubrey Schierbeek earned the NAIA Outstanding Offensive Player Award. In addition to Balcer and Schierbeek, two other Cougars were named to the All-Tournament Team as seniors Ashley Timmons and Sarah Klunder were selected for the honor.

THE BASICS

FINAL SCORE: #3 Spring Arbor 2, #18 Benedictine 0

LOCATION: Orange Beach SportsPlex | Orange Beach, Ala.

RECORDS: Spring Arbor 24-1-1, Benedictine 19-3-3

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Benedictine came out strong, controlling possession for much of the first half. However, Spring Arbor created several opportunities off of counter-attacks and corner kicks, but the Raven goalkeeper made five big saves to keep the score deadlocked at 0-0 heading into halftime.
• After a scoreless first period, Spring Arbor dominated the second and jumped out to a 2-0 lead within the first 4:23 of the second half on a pair of goals by Balcer.
• Balcer's first goal came in the 47th minute when she received a feed from Schierbeek inside the 18-yard box, and finished to the far post. Then, three minutes later, Balcer headed home a free kick from Renee Broekhuizen.
• In goal, Timmons made a pair of stops in a shutout effort, including a crucial save in the closing seconds of the first half to keep Benedictine off the scoreboard.
• Spring Arbor outshot Benedictine 21-7, including 12-1 over the final 45 minutes. The Cougars put 11 of 21 shots on frame, compared to two of seven for the Ravens, with Balcer herself putting seven of 11 shots on target.

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE

• Spring Arbor secured its second national title in three seasons. The Cougars won captured their first-ever banner in 2015 and finished as the national runner-up in 2016.
• Spring Arbor set an NAIA National Championship record with 18 goals scored over the five national tournament games. The previous record was 17 held by Lindsey Wilson (2015) and Westmont (2003).
• Balcer also tied her own NAIA record with seven tournament goals. With her two scores against Benedictine, the junior from Hudsonville, Michigan has 98 for her career.
• The win marked the 24th of the season for Spring Arbor – the most wins in a single-season in program history. The Cougars also set a new program record for goals in a season (102).

QUOTES FROM HEAD COACH JASON CRIST

• "The women were the definition of relentless tonight. This tournament is a war of attrition and they showed their resolve against a very good Benedictine team."
• "Late this season, our mantra has been 'lean into it' as we've asked our players to lean into uncomfortable and challenging situations, not just on the field, but in their everyday lives.  Tonight we were tired and beat up and the ladies lived that mission out faithfully. They are champions."
• "I am most proud of how our players represent their families, our university and their Savior. I am honored and humbled to be their coach."
• "Finally, I want to thank my coaching staff and our fans and families. Our assistant coaches put in long hours and pour into our players, they are amazing. Our fans and families are truly our 12th man and we can't thank them enough for the way they love on is and support us."

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