Aquinas advances, Madonna ends season in Women's Soccer Opening Round

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - (NAIA Bracet Results) - Aquinas and Madonna both battled in their respective 2022 NAIA Women's Soccer Opening Round brackets with Aquinas advancing and Madonna bowing out after a loss. Both teams qualified for the round by receiving one of the WHAC's automatic berths.

On a cold and blustery day, Madonna faced top-seeded and host Spring Arbor. The Crusaders came up short, losing 2-0 to finish the season with a 15-6-1 record.

Aquinas defeated Jamestown (N.D.) 3-1 in the first game of the Columbia Bracket and followed that performance up with a thrilling upset of top-seeded and host Central Methodist (Mo.) 2-1 in overtime.

Aquinas advances to the final site in Orange Beach, Ala. for the single-elimination bracket at Orange Beach Sportsplex Nov. 29-Dec. 5.

Spring Arbor (Mich.) def. Madonna, 2-0
Madonna's defense held for the first 40 minutes of the match until a penalty in the box gave Spring Arbor the advantage when Ariana Staitzfus buried home the penalty shot for a 1-0 lead. MU was unable to control the time of possession in the second period and SAU added an insurance goal in the 59th minute. Brooke Bruletti made three saves in goal for MU.

Aquinas def. Jamestown (N.D.), 3-1
AQ controlled the possession early on, but Jamestown got on the board first when Iliana Ramierz found the back of the net at the 17:28 mark when AQ failed to clear the ball. It was a score that held into the second half until the Saints broke through with three goals in the final 25 minutes to overcome a 1-0 deficit, sparked by Sydney Shenk's ball at the 65:27 mark that tied the match. Shank scored again 15 minutes later off an assist by Ariana Garcia to take the lead. Brittney Carter added an insurance goal a couple of minutes later after Shenk send her a ball. Kayla Shuk finished with one save for AQ.

Aquinas def Central Methodist (Mo.), 2-1 OT
After a scoreless first half, Hannah Crum found the net in the 54th minute when she connected off a cross from Sydney Shenk to give Aquinas a 1-0 lead. The score held until Marcella Helena scored for CMU off a pass from Celine Witt and Roneisha Frank in the 79th minute. Aquinas turned away a few CMU chances in the closing minutes to extend the match into overtime where Shenk scored the game-winner at the 99:32 mark. The Saints defense held in the second overtime as Kayla Shuk made one of her five saves at the 109:37 point to seal the win.