PENSACOLA, Fla. - No. 8 Indiana Wesleyan Women's Soccer matched up with No. 3 Keiser University in the NAIA National Championship Round of 16 on Tuesday evening. It was a closely contested battle between the top highly ranked teams but it was the Seahawks of Keiser that pulled out the 1-0 victory. Both sides fought hard and played a balanced match, sending attacks and countering with strong defense. Goalkeeper Avery Sluss made it tough for KU all night, making 6 saves including one early in the game where Keiser had a great look. The Wildcats were outshot in both halves as the Keiser offense was relentless, but IWU finished with 6 shots on goal to KU's 7. The only goal of the match came just before the final two minutes as the Seahawks capitalized on a late corner kick call. IWU finishes the year with a 15-4-1 record under first year head coach, Hannah Shay.
THE ESSENTIALS
- Location: Pensacola, Fla. | Ashton Brosnaham Soccer Complex
- Records: IWU: 15-4-1 (7-1-1) | KU: 17-3-1 (6-1-1)
- NAIA National Poll: IWU: #8 | KU: #3
WHAT HAPPENED
- IWU and KU battled to a 0-0 score in the first half, with Keiser winning the shot battle 7 to 3.
- Avery Sluss and the IWU defense kept the high-powered Seahawk offense scoreless all game until a corner kick in the final 3 minutes gave them the opportunity to take the 1-0 lead.
NOTABLE NUMBERS
- 1: One goal was all that was needed to advance to the next round of the NAIA National Tournament.
- 6: Both Indiana Wesleyan and Keiser made 6 saves in tonight's match.
- 3: The two high ranked teams were dead even in corner kicks taken with 3 a piece.
LOOKING FORWARD
- IWU has finished their season and look forward to action in 2026.
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