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JACKSON, Mich. – Two teams, two completely different styles. The defensive minded 25th-ranked Carroll College women's soccer team takes on the offensive powerhouse fourth-ranked Spring Arbor team in the first round of the NAIA Women's Soccer Championship at the Legacy Center Sports Complex in Brighton, Mich.
The match was originally scheduled to take place on the Spring Arbor campus but due to expected heavy snowfall the game was moved to the indoor facility, 60 miles from Spring Arbor.
The change has a mixed impact for the Carroll team. Playing in snow would have helped slow the Cougar offense that leads the country in shots at 25.2 and has tallied 71 goals on the season but the changes keeps the game away from the Cougars Soccer Field where SAU is 12-0 on the season.
"Obviously the snow was going to be a benefit for us with their potent offense so in that aspect moving the game is a little disappointing," head coach David Thorvilson said. "The indoor facility is big and brand new. In fact we'll be one of the first college games on it. I hope it takes away a little bit of their home field advantage which will help us."
The Cougars have two players with double-digit goals on the season. Freshman Bethany Balcer leads the way with 25 goals on the season, good enough for six in the country, and Aubrey Scheirbeek is second on the ream with 11 goals.
Balcer leads the country in game-winning goals (10) and is second in shots per game (8).
How do you defend against an offensive juggernaut like Spring Arbor? You bring the team that is seventh in the nation in total shutouts, led by the two-time conference player of the year in Carroll goalkeeper Jaime Carter.
"I don't know if we are going to do anything different," Thorvilson said. "Our defense is where our strength is. It starts with our forwards directing the ball, the midfield doing their job and the back line shutting them down."
The offensive-defensive match up will test both teams but Thorvilson is excited to coach against a very talented team.
"As a coach you have to approach this game like you are playing chess," Thorvilson said. "We know their strengths, they know our strengths and we have to prepare for the way they do things. I'm hoping our defense gives them problems they haven't seen and I think that our forwards could have a very good game."
Another aspect of the game is the travel. The two teams learned that they would face each other Monday and travel arrangements were hastily made and included team members flying out of three different airports and all landing in Detroit before driving 90 minutes to the team hotel in Jackson.
Along with the difficult travel, the Saints had to make up school work from a long trip to Eugene, Ore., for the Cascade Collegiate Conference championship.
A lot of teams would struggle with everything involved in a hectic week but the senior-laden Saints squad took the difficult situation in stride.
"This team doesn't let things get to them," Thorvilson said. "They know it is out of our control, we look for the things that are under our control and we'll take of those and not worry about the rest of it."
The game is the first NAIA Tournament game for the Carroll and the 10 seniors on the Carroll squad. It is the first Carroll tournament appearance since 2007.
"I'm very excited for our team," Thorvilson said. "It has been a few years since I have been here I am excited for our seniors. It is big for them and for our program."
The game is slated for 3 p.m. MDT. A live stream and live stats will be available.
