SPRING ARBOR, Mich. – The Spring Arbor University women's soccer team climbed six spots to No. 5 in the latest STADIONIC-NAIA Women's Soccer National Selection Committee Top 25 Poll, released Wednesday by the national office.
The ranking is SAU's highest since opening the 2024 season at No. 3. Spring Arbor also continues to hold the longest active Top 25 ranking streak in NAIA women's soccer.
The Cougars followed the poll's release with a 4-0 victory at Goshen College on Wednesday night, closing the regular season at 13-2-2 overall and 7-1-1 in the Crossroads League. SAU finished second in the conference standings.
Spring Arbor enters postseason play unbeaten in its last eight matches, going 7-0-1 while outscoring opponents 23-1. That stretch includes a 3-0 road victory over then-No. 10 Taylor University, a scoreless draw with No. 2 Grace College and a 2-1 win over then-No. 5 Marian University.
Defense has helped drive the Cougars' climb. SAU has recorded seven shutouts during its unbeaten run and 13 overall, allowing just seven goals through 17 matches. Spring Arbor owns a 0.41 team goals-against average and has limited opponents to five shots per game.
Claire VanZanten leads the attack with 13 goals, which ranks second in the Crossroads League, five assists and 31 points. She recorded consecutive hat tricks against Huntington University and Taylor earlier in the unbeaten stretch.
Tessa Ponstein follows with four goals, while
Isa Martinez and
Ava Unger have scored three apiece.
Ella Peck has contributed four assists. As a team, the Cougars have outscored opponents 38-7 and hold a 379-85 advantage in shots.
Keiser University remains No. 1 in the national poll, followed by Grace, Indiana Wesleyan University and the University of the Cumberlands. Spring Arbor is one of five Crossroads League teams in the Top 25, joining No. 2 Grace, No. 3 Indiana Wesleyan, No. 6 Marian and No. 14 Taylor.
The Cougars host Huntington in the Crossroads League Tournament quarterfinals on Tuesday, Nov. 3 at 7 p.m. at the Cougar Soccer Complex.
