Game Information
Score: No. 4 Keiser 3, No. 1 Spring Arbor 1
Records: No. 4 Keiser (20-2-2), No. 1 Spring Arbor (20-2-1)
Location: Orange Beach Sportsplex, Orange Beach, Ala.
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The No. 4 Keiser women's soccer team defeated the reigning NAIA National Champions, No. 1 Spring Arbor 3-1 in the semifinal round of the 2018 NAIA Women's Soccer National Championship. With the win, the Seahawks advance to their first-ever National Championship game tomorrow at 5:00 p.m.
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Stat of the Match
The first half dominance continues for the Seahawks as KU scored two more goals, raising their total to seven in the national tournament.
How it Happened
- The Seahawks struck in the second minute of the contest as Maxi Krug converted on a 40-yard free kick to lead 1-0.
- Keiser upped the margin to 2-0 in the 11th minute as freshman, Matilda Ovenberger bagged her 32nd goal of the season off a give-away by the Cougar defense.
- Spring Arbor nearly had their first goal in the 21st minute as Bethany Balcer's free kick from 25-yards out banged off the crossbar.
- KU outshot SAU 5-2 during the remainder of the half to keep their two-goal advantage at the halftime break.
- The Cougars ended the Seahawks 629 minute shutout streak in the 70th minute as Bethany Balcer tallied the lone goal of the game for SAU to trail 2-1.
- However, the Seahawks sealed their spot in the national championship game as Ovenberger played a great ball to the back post and Filippa Millqvist was there to send the ball home, lifting KU to the 3-1 victory over the top-seeded team and reigning national champs.
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Game Notes
- Keiser continues their best season in program history with their 20th victory.
- This was the third time in program history that KU has advanced to the semifinals but the first time moving on to the finals.
- The Seahawks are 6-2-2 against teams ranked inside the top 25 and 1-0-1 against team's ranked No. 1 in the nation.
- The first two shots for Keiser resulted in the game's first two goals.
- Today was the first meeting in program history between these two teams.
- The Seahawks had not conceded a goal in the last 629 minutes until Spring Arbor scored their lone goal in the 70th minute.
- Nina Haeberlin had her nine game shutout streak come to an end this afternoon despite making four saves.
- Ovenberger finished with a team-best five shots on the afternoon.
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By the Numbers
Keiser
Shots: 212
Shots on Goal: 4
Corner Kicks: 4
Saves: 4
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Spring Arbor
Shots: 16
Shots on Goal: 5
Corner Kicks: 5
Saves: 1
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Up Next
The Seahawks will face the winner of No. 2 William Carey vs. No. 6 Southeastern in the NAIA National Championship game on Saturday, Dec. 1 at 5:00 p.m. in Orange Beach, Ala.
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