ORANGE BEACH, Ala. – The Martin Methodist Women's Soccer team will continue its quest for a third national title Monday afternoon when it meets Westmont (Calif.) in the second round of the 30th Annual NAIA Championships presented by the Sports Medicine Center at the Orthopedic Group, P.C. at the Orange Beach Sportsplex.
The 15th-seeded RedHawks (16-5-1) are making their ninth trip to the tournament's final site and their first trip to the Round of 16 since 2011. The RedHawks punched their ticket to Orange Beach with a 4-1 victory over Trinity International (Ill.) on Nov. 23.
With a berth in the quarterfinals on the line, the RedHawks will meet a talented squad in the form of the Warriors (15-1-4), who were the top at-large selection into the 32-team field. The Warriors advanced to the Round of 16 after drawing Westminster (Utah) 2-2, but winning the penalty kick shootout, 4-1.
The RedHawks and Warriors are two of the most successful programs in the history of the NAIA, with the two clubs combining for 26 total trips to the national tournament and seven national championships.
Monday's meeting will mark just the second-ever match between the two clubs, with the RedHawks and Warriors battling to a 1-1 draw in the 2005 national tournament semifinal. The RedHawks claimed a 4-3 win in the penalty kick shootout to advance to the national title game.
Kickoff in Monday's contest is set for 1:30 p.m.
Live stats will be provided via DakStats at no cost, while NeuLion, the NAIA's official video-streaming company of select NAIA national championship events, will be broadcasting all 15 matches of the 2013 Men's Soccer National Championship. Single day packages can be purchased for $9.95, while an all-tournament pass is available for $29.95.
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LIVE STATS
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THE MATCHUP
The RedHawks enter Monday's match as one of the better offensive clubs in the NAIA this season, scoring 50 goals in 22 matches.
Senior captain Jennifer Loewen leads the RedHawks with 13 goals on the year. The Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada native has scored five game-winning goals in 2013, a mark that ranks 20th in the country. Loewen has been especially effective in the postseason, scoring three of her 13 goals on the year during the conference tournament and the first round of the national tournament.
Fellow forward Taylor Samsel has also notched 13 goals on the season, including the final goal in the club's 4-1 win over Trinity International (Ill.) to advance to Orange Beach.
The Warriors, meanwhile, are led by sophomore forward Kelsey Steck, who has scored eight of the team's 46 goals this season. Senior midfielder Alison Hensley has scored five goals for the Warriors, who were the regular-season Golden State Athletic Conference champions.
Goals could be at a premium in Monday's matchup as the RedHawks and Warriors feature strong defensive units.
As a team, the RedHawks have allowed just 19 goals while the Warriors have allowed just 10 goals on the year.
Junior goalkeeper Aisling Dyer figures to get the start in net for the RedHawks. The Bettystown, Ireland native has made 66 saves on the year and ranks among the NAIA's best in Goals Against per Game (0.950). Dyer has also notched three shutouts in 19 games played this season.
Senior Lindsey Smith figures to start for the Warriors, after making all 20 starts prior to Monday's contest. The Pleasanton, Calif. native has allowed all 10 of the Warriors goals conceded this year and posted an impressive eight shutouts.
In the coaching department, the RedHawks are making their third straight trip to the national tournament under third-year head coach Tyson John. John enters Monday's contest with a 2-2 record in the national tournament.
The Warriors are coached by fourth-year head coach Kristi Kiely, who is making her third straight trip to the national tournament. Under Kiely, the Warriors have notched a 2-1-1 record and are making just their second trip to the tournament's final site since 2006.
The winner of Monday's showdown will earn a berth in Wednesday's national tournament quarterfinals. The RedHawks would potentially earn a rematch against either Davenport (Mich.) or Cumberland (Tenn.) – a pair of teams the RedHawks have already faced this season.
