Kissimmee, FL – Bethel University would get their third straight victory to secure Pool A, while Southwestern Christian University would get their second win to secure Pool B as pool play concluded on Thursday afternoon in Kissimmee, Florida. The top two seeds would earn the right to play in the NCCAA Division I Women’s Soccer National Championship match on Saturday, December 6 inside the Austin-Tindall Sports Complex Stadium at 4 p.m. ET. 
 
Pool A: #1 Bethel University 3, #4 Asbury University 2

• Bethel had already clinched a spot in the NCCAA Division I Women’s Soccer National Championship match, but that would not slow them down. The Pilots would score three goals in first nine minutes to take a 3-0 lead on Asbury. 
• Grace Beck scored the first off a header, the second came and third both came on shots from Karly Harkness. 
• The goal flurry continued as Asbury would get one back in the 11^th minute on a long run in from the left side and shot from Anna Sparks. The Eagles cut the deficit to two, 3-1. 
• Bethel nearly got a fourth in the 35^th minute but Asbury keeper Peyton Steiniger would make a diving save to keep it at 3-1. 
• The Pilots would hold the 3-1 lead going into halftime. 
• Both sides would use substitutes in the second half and Asbury would take advantage. Elle Steimel would score on a ball that deflected of the Bethel keeper Lauren Gatewood’s hands in the 69^th minute to cut the deficit to one. The freshman Steimel earned her first goal of her young career. 
• Asbury was unable to find the equalizer in the final 20 minutes as their season would end with a 3-2 loss to the Pilots. Bethel would go a perfect 3-0-0 in Pool A to earn nine points and advance to Saturday’s championship. 

Pool A: #8 Warner University 4, #5 University of Northwestern 0

• Northwestern and Warner would conclude their season with one final game, already knowing that their seasons could not advance beyond this point. Neither side would find offense early, as it remained scoreless through the first half hour. 
• After the Eagles recorded the first five shots of the game, Warner would erupt for a pair of goals in the 33^rd and 35^thminute. 
• The Royals would score their first on a beautiful counterattack that led to a Lillian Dodge goal. The second goal would see Shelby Cape go bar down after the double assist from Jessica Alejandre and Gianna Bellomo. 
• Warner would maintain the 2-0 edge going into the half. 
• The Royals were able to limit the Northwestern early second half attack to maintain control of their 2-0 lead. Warner would hold the lead all the way to the end, adding two additional insurance goals in the final two minutes to win 4-0. 

Pool B: #2 Southwestern Christian University 2, #3 Houghton University 0

• Going into the match, Houghton needed a win or a tie to advance as the winner of Pool B, while Southwestern Christian needed a win. 
• Southwestern Christian would see the best chance in the first 15 minutes, as Abbi Johnson took a deep shot off a corner. Houghton keeper Preslee Miller would make another outstanding save as she has all tournament, punching the ball of the crossbar and away to keep the match scoreless. 
• Sofia Jimenez would finally crack the tough Houghton defense, winning a free ball off a goal kick and ripping a shot into the upper corner from outside the 18-yard box to give Southwestern Christian the lead. 
• Shoshana Graham would add an insurance goal in the 40^th minute with another impressive Eagles shot, winning a bouncing ball and hitting one off the post and in to make it 2-0. 
• Southwestern Christian would outshoot Houghton 8-4 in the first half to lead 2-0. 
• Needing to respond quickly, Houghton would put more numbers forward to find four shots in the first 20 minutes of the second half. Lorelai Puglisi would handle all shots on net for the Eagles however, keeping the shutout intact. 
• Houghton was unable to break the Southwestern Chrisitan defense, as the Eagles would earn the 2-0 victory and advance to Saturday’s national championship match against Bethel. 

Pool B: #6 Redeemer University 4, #7 Wayland Baptist University 2

• Wayland Baptist, needing a lot of help and a win to advance as the Pool B winner, was able to get off to a great start scoring in the seventh minute. Camila Zavala used her speed down the right side to outrun the Redeemer defense and score to make it 1-0. 
• Redeemer would find a response in the 27^th minute scoring their first goal of the tournament. Joelle Mitton would find the net off the assist from Tautiana Pelligrino to bring the score to 1-1. 
• The Royals would later get a penalty kick opportunity after a Pioneer foul in the 31^st minute. Grace Devries stepped to the spot and delivered to give Redeemer the 2-1 advantage. 
• In the second half, Joelle Mitton would continue her strong performance with a second goal on just her third shot in the 49^th minute. Redeemer would move their lead to 3-1 with three unanswered goals. 
• Camila Zavala would once again use her speed to make a run into the box and find the net for the second time to put Wayland Baptist back within one with just under 25 minutes to play. 
• Redeemer immediately responded, as Hannah Moes would hit a one-timer from the top of the box in the 70^th minute that would find the net to increase the lead back to two, 4-2.  
• Wayland Baptist was unable to complete the comeback as the match would end 4-2. Redeemer would earn their first three points in their final match and finish third in Pool B. 

Bethel and Southwestern Christian will have a day off tomorrow before facing off in the NCCAA Division I Women’s Soccer National Championship on Saturday inside the Austin-Tindall Sports Complex Stadium on Saturday at 4 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.