Spring Arbor Women’s Soccer Defeats Cumberland, Crist Becomes NAIA’s Winningest Coach

NAIA Women’s Soccer National Championship Second Round winning Cougars.  Photos courtesy Spring Arbor University.

(November 19, 2022 10:45 PM) The No. 4 ranked Spring Arbor University women’s soccer team will be returning to Orange Beach, Alabama after defeating Cumberland University 2-0 in the NAIA Women’s Soccer National Championship Second Round on Saturday. 

First half goals from Madison Marshall and Mackenzie Selvius were enough to send the Cougars to Orange Beach for the third straight season and for the eighth time in nine years. 

With the win, head coach Jason Crist collected career victory No. 381 to become the winningest women’s soccer coach in NAIA history. Crist, now in his 23rd season at SAU, boasts an incredible record of 381-90-38. 

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS 

• After a couple close chances, Spring Arbor was able to break through in the 38th minute. Ariana Stoltzfus unleashed a shot from 25 yards out that hit the crossbar, and the rebound went directly to Marshall for the header finish. 
• The Cougars added a key insurance goal before halftime. Becca Mindling played a long ball into the box that found the head of Selvius, who beat the goalkeeper for her team-leading 14th goal of the season. 
• Spring Arbor finished with 21 shots while holding Cumberland to just four.  
• Blair Currie stopped the only shot she faced to keep the clean sheet. The shutout was the 18th of the season for the Cougars – tied for the most in the NAIA this season. 

Jason Crist Becomes NAIA’s All-Time Winningest Coach

• Crist is in 23rd season leading the Spring Arbor women’s soccer program and owns a career coaching record of 381-90-38 – all at SAU. 
• He’s led the Cougars to two NAIA national titles (2015, 2017), one runner-up finish (2016), and six semifinals appearances. 
• Crist is a two-time NAIA National Coach of the Year and nine-time Crossroads League Coach of the Year. 
• Under his direction, Spring Arbor put together a 32-match winning streak (9/15/15-10/15/16) and a 42-match unbeaten streak (9/15/15-12/3/16) – both are the second-longest streaks in NAIA history. 
• Crist has guided SAU to 11 Crossroads League Tournament titles – nine straight from 2010-18 – and 10 Crossroads League regular season champions – eight straight from 2011-18. 
• In addition to their success in the NAIA, the Cougars were the 2010 National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) national champions. Crist was recognized as the NCCAA National Coach of the Year that season. 

UP NEXT 

Spring Arbor returns to Orange Beach, Alabama in search of its third national title. The Cougars will play in the national tournament quarterfinals on Thursday, Dec. 1.