Kissimmee, FL – Through day one of pool play at the NCCAA Division I Women’s Soccer National Championship 12 goals were scored as the offenses erupted early and often. (3) Houghton University highlighted the day with a four-goal victory, joining (1) Bethel University and (5) University of Northwestern at the top of their respective tables with three points. Play continues tomorrow at noon ET with more pool play action. 
 
Pool A: #1 Bethel University 2, #8 Warner University 1

• Bethel got off to a great start on a beautiful day one of the NCCAA Division I Women’s Soccer National Championship, seeing their third shot of the day find the back of the net in the 18^th minute. Leena Thomas scored off the post and in to make it 1-0 Pilots. 
• The Pilots dominated much of the possession in the first half and was able to hold the 1-0 edge into the break. 
• Bethel wasted no time adding an insurance goal in the second half, scoring just a minute and a half in. Leena Thomas again found the net using her speed to dribble the ball more than half the pitch and score with her left foot.  
• Warner would get one back in the 84^th minute, as Sabrina Bouchachia found the back of the net to make it 2-1. The Royals continued to push in the final six minutes but were unable to find a second as top-seeded Bethel would take the opening match 2-1. 

Pool B: #2 Southwestern Christian University 1, #7 Wayland Baptist University 1

• In a rematch of the Central Region Championship, Wayland Baptist and Southwestern Christian would work to find their footing totaling three shots in the first 15 minutes. 
• In the 25^th minute, Wayland Baptist would be the first to find the net, using a long throw to find Camila Zavala. Zavala turned and placed the ball past Lorelai Puglisi to make it 1-0. 
• Ashley Lopez would make a great save for Wayland Baptist with just under 15 minutes remaining in the first half to keep the Pioneers in front 1-0 at the break. 
• Southwestern Christian would finally find an equalizer in the 71^st minute. A quick counterattack led to a Soshona Graham rocket of a shot to make it 1-1. Sofia Jimenez recorded the assist. 
• Wayland Baptist would get one final free kick chance in the final 10 seconds but were unable to score resulting in a 1-1 tie to open Pool B play. 

Pool A: #5 University of Northwestern 2, #4 Asbury University 1

• Northwestern controlled the pace early, recording three shots in a two-minute span around the 10-minute mark. Asbury keeper Peyton Steiniger would make the necessary saves to keep the match tied 0-0. 
• Standout forward Haley Mersberger would break the ice for Northwestern in the 17^th minute, scoring after an Asbury save and rebound on a shot that took a deflection and found the net. 
• Northwestern would finish the half with 13 shots, outshooting Asbury by nine to hold a 1-0 advantage at the break.
• Asbury got off to a much better start in the second half, doubling their shot total in the first 15 minutes. 
• Northwestern responded and took control of the offense again in the 67^th minute. Haley Mersberger recorded her second goal of the match after creating a turnover and dribbling through the defense to find the net and make it 2-0. 
• Asbury was able to find a response to cut the deficit back to one just a few minutes later. Anna Sparks would score on the assist from Madison Andrews in the 73^rd minute to make it 2-1. 
• The final 20 minutes were dominated by Asbury as they continued to push to find an equalizer. Northwestern did just enough to hold off the Eagles and secure the 2-1 victory to earn three points in Pool A. 

Pool B: #3 Houghton University 4, #6 Redeemer University 0

• Houghton got off to a great start, putting three balls into the box in the first two minutes to create early threats. The Highlanders were unable to find the net however as it stayed scoreless. 
• A beautiful through ball from Avery Shuck in the 22^nd minute would give the Elena Esh a breakaway opportunity for the Highlanders. She would execute nicely to give Houghton the 1-0 lead and capitalize on the multitude of early chances. 
• Redeemer would slow down the Houghton attack after the goal, but would be unable to find any offense, as the score remained 1-0 going into halftime. 
• Houghton would get off to a great start in the second half, creating a turnover on a goal kick that led to Karryne Mims taking a shot off the post and in from 25-yards out. The Highlanders would get an insurance goal to go up 2-0. 
• In the 60^th minute Houghton would get a penalty kick opportunity looking for a third goal. Redeemer keeper Sarah deJong would make the crucial save to keep it a two-goal deficit. 
• Houghton would control possession for the final half hour adding a pair of insurance goals in the 80^th and 81^st minutes from Taylor Cuyto and Annaleis Milne to secure the 4-0 victory and earn three points in Pool B. 

Division I Women’s Soccer pool play will continue tomorrow starting at 12 p.m. ET. Full results and a schedule of all matches can be found here.

About the NCCAA
Established in 1968, the National Christian College Athletic Association uses intercollegiate athletics to further the Great Commission and is committed to equipping student-athletes and coaches to make a positive impact for Christ. The NCCAA currently holds 23 national championship events, along with one national invitational for 88 member schools across 28 states and two Canadian provinces. For more information on the NCCAA, visit our website, thenccaa.org, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter/X, and Instagram at @thenccaa.