ORANGE BEACH, Ala. – The No. 4 ranked Spring Arbor University women's soccer team faces off against No. 5 William Carey (Miss.) in the quarterfinal round of the 2022 NAIA Women's Soccer National Championship on Thursday, Dec. 1 at 11 a.m. ET in Orange Beach, Alabama.
Spring Arbor returns to the national tournament final site for the third straight season, and for the eighth time in nine years, after defeating Madonna (Mich.) and Cumberland (Tenn.) – both by identical 2-0 scores – in the first and second rounds. The Cougars have their sights set on a third national title after claiming the red banner in 2015 and 2017.
Meanwhile, William Carey earned its spot in the quarterfinals after emerging from the Hattiesburg Bracket. The Crusaders, the 2018 national champions, defeated Kansas Wesleyan 6-0 in their first round matchup and advanced past Columbia (Mo.) in penalty kicks following a scoreless draw.
Spring Arbor and William Carey have only met once prior to Thursday's matchup, and that was in the 2015 NAIA national tournament quarterfinals. The Cougars defeated the Crusaders, 2-0, that night and went on to ultimately capture their first-ever national championship.
GAMEDAY INFORMATION
When: Thursday, Dec. 1 | 11 a.m. ET
Where: Orange Beach Sportsplex | Orange Beach, Ala.
Last Meeting: Spring Arbor def. William Carey, 2-0 (Dec. 2, 2015)
Live Coverage: Live stats |
Live video
SPRING ARBOR COUGARS (16-1-3, 7-1-1 CL)
Last Game: Won 2-0 vs. Cumberland (Tenn.) on Nov. 19
Coach: Jason Crist | 23rd season
Goals Leader: Mackenzie Selvius – 14
Assists Leader: Ariana Stoltzfus – 13
Saves Leader: Blair Currie – 20
WILLIAM CAREY CRUSADERS (16-2-2, 8-0-0 SSAC)
Last Game: Tied 0-0 (Adv. on PKs, 7-6) vs. Columbia (Mo.) on Nov. 19
Coach: Danny Owens | 18th season
Goals Leader: Kauany Sousa – 31
Assists Leader: Maria Azarias – 22
Saves Leader: Marlen Kelm – 36
2022 NAIA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP QUARTERFINAL MATCHES (ALL TIMES ET)
Match 1 (11 a.m.) – Spring Arbor vs. William Carey (Miss.)
Match 2 (2 p.m.) – Keiser (Fla.) vs. Aquinas (Wash.)
Match 3 (5 p.m.) – Marian (Ind.) vs. Tennessee Southern
Match 4 (8 p.m.) – Cumberlands (Ky.) vs. Oklahoma Wesleyan
