SPRING ARBOR, Mich. – The No. 5 ranked Spring Arbor University women’s soccer team rolled past Marian University 5-0 on Saturday to capture the 2015 Crossroads League Tournament Championship and the league’s automatic berth to the 32nd annual NAIA Women’s Soccer National Championship.
Four different players scored for the Cougars, including senior Nikki Bonnema who recorded two goals, to help the team claim its sixth straight tournament title.
Spring Arbor had gotten off to quick starts in each of its two previous tournament matchups – scoring in under six minutes in both contests – however, would not experience the same success early on against Marian. Despite applying intense pressure and creating several scoring chances, the Knights would keep the Cougars off the board behind strong play from its goalkeeper Madeline Weber.
The home team was finally able to breakthrough though in the 33rd minute when freshman Bethany Balcer blasted a shot from the top of the 18-yard box into the upper corner for her 25th goal of the season – matching the program’s single-season record.
The Cougars were able to add to their lead before halftime with a goal from sophomore Renee Broekhuizen. Classmate Sarah Klunder connected with Broekhuizen on a corner kick in the 39th minute to give SAU a 2-0 advantage heading into halftime.
Marian (12-8-1, 5-4-0 CL) had its best look on goal in the opening minute of the second half, but Olivia Annee’s shot would bounce off the crossbar.
Spring Arbor capitalized on MU’s missed opportunity just moments later when Bonnema would tally two goals 43 seconds apart to put the game out of reach.
Sophomore Ashley Wroblewski would cap the scoring with her first goal of the season in the 85th minute.
Klunder finished the match two more assists, giving the center back a team-leading, and conference-best, 13 helpers this season. Senior goalkeeper Sarah Yancer registered two saves to post her sixth clean sheet of the campaign.
Spring Arbor (18-2-1, 9-0-0 CL) will learn its opponent for the national tournament opening round matchup – set for Saturday, Nov. 21 – during a live selection show on Monday, Nov. 16. The winners of the opening round matches advance to the tournament’s final site in Orange Beach, Alabama.